A ST BEDE’S student has praised his form teacher for steering him through his GCSEs after he became involved in a football tug-of-war between Manchester United and Southampton.

Max Dunne, from Bowdon, turned down the offer of a professional contract with Southampton, after a phone call from Nicky Butt asked him to remain at United while he was preparing for his GCSEs. He achieved two As, three Bs and two Cs and will celebrate by playing centre-half for Manchester United’s under-18s against Everton on Saturday.

Max said he could not have achieved those grades without the help from his form teacher, Jenny Hatton. “When I was on my own in a hotel in Southampton waiting to speak to the club she was emailing me work. I’d meet her before school and during the lunch hour to catch up because I was away so often with football.

“I’d been told that I was going to be released by Manchester United and I went down to Southampton to train with the under-18s and under-21s. I was flown back to Manchester and told United that I had been offered a contract by Southampton.

“I was playing my last game for United and by chance Nicky Butt, who had just been appointed United’s academy director, was watching. He phoned me up and said United would take me back. There was so much going on. This was the end of January, I’d just turned 16. There were the GCSE mocks next month. I was thinking of how I would go about living in Southampton in digs on my own and now Nicky Butt was on the phone.

“Southampton then came back with the offer of a full professional contract and now I had a big decision to make about whether I stay at home or go south for a better contract. There were about 10 Premier League clubs who were interested and each lunchtime I would have to go out of form to make a call to find out what was happening. Eventually, I decided to stay at home and play for United and these results just make it better.”

Dr Dando, director of studies, said: “It is crucial that these talented pupils get good results because they affect their future. We know what work they miss and we plan a successful programme to fit each pupil. Clearly this approach is paying dividends.”

Headmaster, Dr Robson said, “This year’s excellent GCSE results demonstrate increased success at St. Bede’s and we are thrilled for all our pupils. They reflect the commitment and dedication shown by the teaching staff to inspire excellence and focus on every individual student giving them the very best start on their academic journey. We would like to congratulate every pupil and wish them well in the sixth form.”

St Bede’s GCSE Students Maximise Their Potential in a Nurturing Environment

The 2016 class of GCSE students have achieved 42% A*-A and an impressive 72% A* - B.  This is an increase on last year’s figure and testimony to the nurturing environment with St. Bede’s which brings the best out of each and every one of its pupils.

Within these figures were some very impressive individual performances.

J Cox achieved 13A*; L Askew 9A* 2A; G Faulkner 8A* 3A; J Lawlor 8A* 2A; I West 7A*, 3A, 1B; A McGuinness 6A*, 3A, 1B; M Strogen 5A*, 4A, 1B; D Bramwell 4A*, 4A, 2B; E Doherty 4A*, 5A; H Hyde 4A*, 6A; D Scammell 4A*, 4A, 3B; A MacPherson 1A*, 8A, 1B; A McDonnell 2A*, 6A, 1B; J Wilson 2A*, 6A, 2B; M Goodridge 2A*, 4A, 1B.

Reflecting last week’s strength and success in A Level Further Mathematics and Mathematics and showing great promise for the future the College achieved 100% A* - A at Further Maths GCSE indicating that high standards will continue at A level.

This trend continued in Fine Art which also achieved 100% A*-A, the beautiful art work on display in Holly Bank is indicative of the high standards set in this highly creative and personal subject.

Despite the recent Brexit vote the students demonstrated a strong commitment to international relations through World Languages.  In Spanish 59% of pupils achieved A*-A with 80% achieving A*-B. 

Preserving the College tradition, the Latin Language results of 83% A*-A and 100% A*-C show that it is very much alive within St. Bede’s and vibrant part of the World Languages Faculty.

English, a core subject for every young pupil, has again delivered excellent results with 95% A*-C for English Language and 97% English Literature.

Whilst A Catholic College, St. Bede’s welcomes both Catholic and non-Catholic children but all study Religious Education at GCSE level.  The ethos of the College is clearly reflected in these results with 65% A*-A and 98% A*-C.

The Manchester City Academy students put in an excellent performance across the two years of GCSEs, juggling their studies with the competitive nature of their environment together with international tours and competitions.  A score line of 20% A*-A an improvement on last season and bodes well for our continued partnership with Manchester City.

Dr Dando, Director of Studies said “It is crucial that these talented pupils get good results because they affect their future and our league table.  We know what work they miss and we plan a successful programme to fit each pupil."

Mace Goodridge whilst being released from his current football contract with Manchester City Academy achieved outstanding results whilst balancing concerns for his football career with his future educational needs.  He achieved 2A*, 4A 1B.  Achieving a similar feat was Max Dunne who scored an impressive 2A, 3B, 2C.

Headmaster, Dr Robson said: “This year’s excellent GCSE Results demonstrate increased success at St. Bede’s and we are thrilled for all our pupils. They reflect the commitment and dedication shown by the teaching staff to inspire excellence and focus on every individual student giving them the very best start on their academic journey. We would like to congratulate every pupil and wish them well in the Sixth Form.”

St Bede’s College, A-G, A-C
Akinyemiju S 9 (8)  Askew L 11 (11), Atanga L 7 (6), Bailey A 9 (9), Bennett M 9 (9), Bolton L 7     (7), Bramwell    D 10 (10), Bute    G 10 (9), Campbell T 6 (5), Carter Y 9 (9), Castro     S 10 (10), Cox    E 9 (9), Cox J 12 (12), Delaney    G 6 (5), Dele-Bashiru T 7 (7), Dillon J 9    (9), Doherty E 9    (9), Douglas J 9    (8), Doyle G 9 (9), Dunne M 7 (7), Edwards T 8 (6), Fabode    S 10 (10), Faulkner G 10     (10), Feeley-Isaksen M    9 (9), Finneran    C 10 (10), Foden P 5, Forshaw    N 10    (10), Francis    E 6 (6), Goodridge M 7 (7), Graham W 8    (6), Greenwood    N 9 (9), Gunshon O 9 (9), Hall    W 9 (9), Hammond-Barham    D 7 (3), Hanrahan J 9 (9), Hartley A 10 (10), Heaney H 9    (9), Heard A 9 (9), Hilton J 7 (7), Hogan    O 8 (7), Hughes    B 6 (3), Hyde    H 10 (10), Jones  T 8 (5), Jones U 9 (9), Kennedy    M 9 (9), Kitromilides A    10 (10), Komolafe S 9 (8).
Latibeaudiere J    7 (7),  Lattie D 6 (3), Lawlor J 10 (10), Lythgoe O 8 (4), MacPherson    A 10 (10), Manuel A 6 (4), McCormack    l 10 (9), McDonnell A 9    (9), McGuinness A 10 (10), McLoughlin    E 10 (10), Morris W 8 (8), Mousley P 8 (8), O’Brien E 8 (7), Pakey L 10 (7), Pozo    L 7 (5), Quirke A 10 (10), Raaj H 10 (10), Rosler    C 7 (7), Roule M 11 (11), Sancho J 4 (1), Scammell D 11    (11), Sivori V 10 (10), Smith M    5 (2), Standring    F 8 (6), Strogen    M 10 (10), Sun    W 7 (6), Thomason C 9 (9), Turmel-Josek G 10 (10), Vose H 10 (9), Walsh     L 5 (2), Wdowin M 9  (9), West I 11 (11), Wilson J    10 (10), Wilson    T 6 (4), Yakubu-Olugbenga D 10     (10)