Students at Burnham on Crouch's Ormiston Rivers Academy are celebrating their GCSE results today (August 24), as they prepare to make their next steps.

The 16 year-olds queued outside the academy's sports hall at 9am, to collect the white envelopes containing their results. Many students, parents, and staff were in attendance, with Principal Joanne Williams greeting the nervous teenagers at the door. 

They have come together to mark the achievements of all the students. Despite the pandemic interrupting much of their secondary education, they have worked hard over the past couple of years to secure their grades. 

Joanne Williams, Principal at Ormiston Rivers Academy, said: "Ormiston Rivers Academy students should be exceptionally proud of themselves, after some excellent achievements.

"They have set a great example to younger students at the academy, showing the value of hard work and perseverance. As they embark on their next chapters, whatever they may be, I know those values will serve as a strong foundation for their futures."

Subjects that performed particularly well this year include Dance, Music technology, Child Development, Health & Social Care and Biology. 

Individual highlights include:

• Thomas Bradley achieved seven grade 9s in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Computer Science, English Literature and History, a Distinction* in Media Studies and a grade 7 in English Language.
• Jacob Henman secured grade 9s in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths, grade 8 in Computer Science, a Distinction in Music Performance and grade 7s in English Literature, English Language and French.
• Isabel Gim attained a grade 9 in English Literature, grade 8s in English Language and Geography, grade 7s in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths, a Distinction in Music Performance and grade 6 in French.

Emotions ran high in the sports hall, with many students sharing smiles and hugs with family members and peers. For many, this is the last time they will step foot in a secondary school environment again. The feeling of pride in the room was strong, with many staff members chatting to students and looking emotional.

All the students are preparing to take the next steps in their educational journey, whether that be to continue to the secondary schools sixth form, to the college's in Chelmsford, Colchester or Southend, or to do an apprenticeship. 

Last week, sixth form students at Ormiston Rivers Academy celebrated their A-Level results, reaping the rewards of their 'incredibly hard work'.

Read more

• What's On in the Maldon District this Bank Holiday Weekend: Burnham Week begins, Smoke & Fire Festival, Tide Festival and more
• Burnham Town Mayor tells developers and the NHS to 'keep us in the loop' over surgery plans, as 1,300 residents sign petition
• Volunteers needed to join Maldon Carnival Committee 'or it will be gone forever'