A STUDENT from Thorne who gained a clean sweep of five A* grades in his A-Levels is on course to take up a place at Cambridge University.
Jack Parkinson will fulfil a childhood dream of reading computer science at the prestigious university, whose alumni include the late Professor Stephen Hawking, after his impressive performance in mathematics, further mathematics, computer science, physics and the extended project qualification (EPQ).
After receiving his offer from Cambridge in March, Jack, 18, said: “When I started at Trinity people said I could do it, but I thought I had no chance. I’ve always wanted to go to a leading academy university and really started to work towards it last year.
“I went to summer schools at Oxford and Cambridge and really enjoyed them. They gave me a taste of the way of life there and the people were really down to earth, which I was surprised by.”
Jack, of Moorends, was especially taken with Cambridge University for its facilities and the city.
“After the summer school I decided I really wanted to go there and I’ve been focused on that ever since. I’m really looking forward to being around people who have similar interests to me,” he said.
On seeing his results today, he added: “I’m really surprised – I honestly didn’t think I’d get in to Cambridge. I’m just relieved and a bit numb.
“I’ve not really been thinking about it so far this holidays – I’ve been trying to take my mind off it in the run-up to the results. I’m really happy the wait is over though.”
Jack was joined in his success by fellow students Yong-Wei Guo, Jordan Bull, Bartosz Swedziol and Francesca Middleton in another year of A-Level success at Trinity Academy.
Jordan, 18, of Moorends, gained top academic results whilst playing rugby for the England Under 20s and for Castleford in the National Conference League Division One.
Yong-Wei joined Trinity as a new student in Year 12 with modest English and has gone on to gain an A* in mathematics with A grades in further mathematics, computer science and Chinese.
With a place at Manchester to study accounting and finance, she said: “I felt very nervous this morning – I really didn’t think I’d do this well. I’ve got into the university that I wanted so I’m really happy that all the hard work has paid off.”
Bartosz Swedziol and Francesca Middleton, Trinity’s Head Boy and Head Girl, leave to study computer science and pharmacy having achieved six grade As between them.
Most pleasingly, almost all of the students at Trinity Academy are going on to pursue their ambition, with courses ranging from mechanical engineering to midwifery, wildlife conservation to forensics, architecture to medical biochemistry.
Executive Principal Jonathan Winch said: “Enabling students to achieve their dream is one of the most deeply satisfying aspects of my role. The fact that the students at Trinity Academy choose such a broad range of interesting and diverse courses is testament to the individualised support and guidance that our sixth form team offers.
“I am delighted for our students, and look forward to their ongoing leadership in a wide range of careers.”
40% of the grades at Trinity were at A* to B.
The subject areas which saw the most notable achievements were: Mathematics, with nearly two thirds of students (64%) gaining an A or A* grade; English Literature, where half of all students (50%) gained an A or A*; and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), in which 11 students attained an A* grade.