Students at St John Payne Catholic School in Chelmsford have been celebrating their A-level results, with many securing places at prestigious universities.
Outstanding Individual Achievements
Daniel Danykiv, 18, from Witham, moved to the UK from Ukraine with his father in 2024 and joined the sixth form to study computer science, economics, and business. He achieved two grade As and one grade B and will study computer science at Queen Mary University of London. He said: "It has been good at St John Payne. I just adapted when I arrived, and everyone welcomed me. I like the education programme and the teachers here. I am happy with my results."
Isaac Gardner, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved grade A* in chemistry, maths, further maths, and physics, and will study maths at Bristol University. Having transferred from another school as he was unhappy in Year 11, he said: "My results are better than I had expected. I have put in the hours, and the school has been really supportive. The community around the school is what has really helped me and pushed me forward. Since transferring to this school, it has been amazing. It is a very supportive environment, which was not the case at my previous school."
University Destinations and Study Support
Crystal Fajobi, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved a grade B in English language and Distinction Distinction in BTEC business, and will study speech and language therapy at the University of Essex. She said: "It feels really nice to have done really well in my exams. We have had a lot of assemblies with advice and study methods which has helped me to focus. Students who had already completed their A-levels also came in to give us advice on how to focus and self-care, so we did not get too stressed. We had a sixth form pastoral lead who helped to take care of our wellbeing. I took time away from the books, so as not to over-cram my brain."
Joshua Ejimofor, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved grade A* in business, economics, and maths, and will study economics at UCL. He said: "I was not expecting the A* grades. I used AI to support my studies. It could give tips on how to improve my essays. It definitely made revising easier than when I did my GCSEs. It definitely helped me to get these grades."
Teacher Support and Future Plans
Adam Scott, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved grade A in economics and maths and a grade B in biology, and will study business economics at Exeter University. He said: "I am quite happy with my results; they are better than I expected. The school has been supportive. The teachers helped me whenever I went to them with something I was struggling with. They have gone beyond. The whole school community has been really helpful, with extra study sessions at lunchtime and after school."
Lola Wilson, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved a grade B in criminology and grade C in sociology and geography. She is now planning a year of travelling in Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, and Australia. She said: "The school has been great, giving me extra revision sessions."
Kene Ezeoke, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved a grade A* in maths and grade A in computer science and physics, and will study electrical engineering at Southampton University. He said: "I feel really relieved now I have my results. I just feel happy. My physics teacher is the reason I want to study engineering. I enjoyed physics classes and had a really good teacher. The way she explained things was really interesting and made me want to learn things myself. It is going to be really hard, but I am so excited."
Georgia Matthews, 18, from Chelmsford, achieved a grade A* in English literature, a grade A in philosophy and ethics, and a grade B in history, and will study English at King's College London. She said: "I am not sure what career I want to go into, maybe politics, journalism or education. I have always had a lot of supportive teachers. They have always been so kind and understanding. I suffer from anxiety and made myself ill with infections and sickness during my exams. It is something I've always had. They have been there for me every step of the way. They were just there and listened to me and helped me if I needed it. My teachers have been brilliant. Without that support, I would not have been able to survive and keep going."
