Students at Bede Academy, in Blyth, were congratulated on their exam success by Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell who visited as the young people collected their results.
Mrs McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, was at Bede Academy principally to celebrate its success as one of the first schools in the region to offer T Level courses, first in Engineering and now in Health, and to join students and their families opening their GCSE and BTec results.
Last week each of the 21 students on the inaugural two-year Engineering course based mostly at the Energy Centre Learning Hub at Port of Blyth learned they had passed with flying colours with many going on to degree level apprenticeships and university.
The academy also introduced a T Level in Health last September in partnership with Northumbria University and the Northumbria and Newcastle NHS Trusts and each of its 16 students have passed their first year with impressive results. During her visit Mrs McKinnell visited the academy’s dedicated Trinity Health Centre where teaching takes place in a fully equipped ‘hospital ward’.
She said: “It’s been really lovely to be hosted at such a celebration today with all the young people, seeing what a fantastic offer there is here with so many opportunities for what’s coming next. There is such a caring staff team as well, you can see that runs through the school, so the young people are well supported.”
The academy celebrated an increase in overall attainment and in students achieving top GCSE grades of 7-9 across a broad range of qualifications, allowing them to seek greater and more innovative opportunities post-16.
Top performing student George Edgar achieved six grade 9s, three grade 8s and a double distinction*. George combined his academic success with his dedication to extra-curricular enrichment representing the academy as part of the F1 into Schools team and receiving multiple accolades in Year 11 for his commitment and character. He is staying on to study maths, psychology and history A-Levels.
Rhys Gallon achieved two grade 9s, five grade 8s, two grade 7s and a double distinction and will do A-Levels in history, psychology and English language at Bede Academy Sixth Form while teaching himself A-Level politics, which is his chosen career. His dad Stuart Gallon said: “He did a significant amount of revision, not just leading up to the exams but over the two years, and it’s paid off to get good results. We’re dead proud of him, really pleased.”
Not to be outshone by the boys, Ema Aukstuolyte achieved six grade 9s and 4 grade 8s, showcasing her dedication and creative flair across her subjects.
Ella Robinson has secured a place on Bede’s sought-after T Level in Health with three 6s, four 5s, one 4 and a double distinction*. “I got all my target grades so I’m happy,” she said. “The T-Level secures me an interview with Northumbria University to go on to do neonatal nursing which is my passion.”
Other students in the top ten for attainment included Poppy Turner, Maisie Elliott, Ruby Johnson, Jessica Crawford, Lily Turner, Caitlyn Bradley and Max Waligura, with success in vocational subjects for others including Lana Patterson, Amy Thompson and Callum Johnstone.
Ruby, Poppy and Maisie all got to share their results joy with the Minister and told her of their plans to stay on at Bede’s Sixth Form.
Millie Kozlovsky won the 2025 Bede Academy X-Factor with her performance of Brandi Carlile’s song The Joke and also shone academically with one grade 9, three grade 8s, two 7s and three 6s. She will stay on to study A-Levels in English literature, French and history at Bede Academy.
Sean Tansey, who like other students has been at Bede Academy since Reception, praised the support of teachers with his top grades on which he will take maths, physics, geography and further maths in the Sixth Form.
Traditional humanities subjects saw an increase in grades from 2024 with strong attainment especially in top grades. History saw a 10% uplift in grade 9-7 – Rhys Gallon, Owen Lees, Max Waligura and Maisie Elliott all achieving grade 8 or 9. Top grades in religious studies went up by 11% with Freya Dyos, Ebony Fitch, Ruby Johnson, Olivia Potter, Ella Sands and Benjamin Stafford all achieving top grades.
As part of increased access to the rapidly growing sixth form provision, Bede Academy will also welcome more external students who will be able to study new courses such as sociology, applied science and drama.
Principal Andrew Thelwell said: “I am exceptionally proud of our students for their achievements and the staff who have supported them to continue sustained improvement here at Bede. I also want to acknowledge the students’ parents for the care, support and encouragement they have given their sons and daughters, which is critical to their success. There is a lot of excitement and confidence as the students look forward to future opportunities and accessing our growing post-16 provision.”
