A COLCHESTER school’s newly departed head boy who has his sights on a career in Government joined his classmates in celebrating their excellent GCSE results.

Jacob Aldons, who was The Gilberd School’s head boy for the 2022-23 school year, collected his GCSE results from the school, in Brinkley Lane, Highwoods, this morning.

Having achieved six 9s, two 8s, and one 7, he said: “I’m relieved to have done enough to go on and do what I want to do next.”

The 16-year-old now plans to study A levels in chemistry, biology, maths, and religious studies at Colchester Royal Grammar School with a view to studying international relations at university which will hopefully lead to a career in the Foreign Office.

Gazette: Head boy - Jacob Aldons after collecting his GCSE resultsHead boy - Jacob Aldons after collecting his GCSE results (Image: Newsquest)

Bracken Kennedy, 16, said she was “thrilled and amazed” with some of her results, adding she “didn’t think she’d do so well in some subjects”.

She achieved four 9s, two 8s, and two 7s, one of which was in French which she admitted wasn’t her strongest subject.

Bracken is due to start at Colchester Sixth Form where she will study biology, chemistry, and physical education at A level.

Gazette: Amazed - Bracken Kennedy, 16Amazed - Bracken Kennedy, 16 (Image: Newsquest)

The bright youngster hopes to pursue a pharmaceutical career.

Nicole Piwowarczyk, 16, who also received the top grades of 8 and 9 in nine subjects and is going on to study A levels in biology, chemistry, and art, said: “My results were a lot better than I thought they would be.”

Gazette: Bright spark - Nicole Piwowarczyk, 16Bright spark - Nicole Piwowarczyk, 16 (Image: Newsquest)

Emma Smith, Sam Dyer, Esme Kittle, Tom Hinds, Clarissa Travaglia, Thea Barrick, Eloise Adamson, and Bethany Pena were also among the Gilberd’s top performers this year, achieving an astonishing 50 grade 9s between them.

Ola Sobolewska, pictured in the top image wearing green trousers, also scored a host of fantastic results.

She secured grade 9s in combined science, business, history, mathematics, English language and English literature, and a grade 7 in art & design.

'We are proud of all our students'

Executive headteacher Linda Exley said her pupils should be proud of their results and their wider achievements.

She added: “Beyond the headline grabbing results that so many of our students have achieved, there are just as many individual stories of students who have endeavored in the face of significant obstacles and yet have still achieved; many have outperformed perhaps even their own expectations.

“We are equally proud of each and every one of these students.”