Wirral Life September 2017 | Page 8

IN BRIEF LORD LIEUTENANT VISITS SHAFTESBURY YOUTH CLUB The Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, visited Shaftesbury Youth Club to find out all about the youth engagement work going on in the Club. Dame Lorna was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Ronald Muirhead. The visit was hosted by the Chair of the Club’s Board of Trustees, John E Jones and Chief Executive Officer, Janice Monty, who took Dame Lorna and her husband on a guided tour around the Club’s premises where they met the young people who use the Club, its staff and its volunteers, all of whom make the Club a unique place to attend and be involved with. During the tour the Lord-Lieutenant visited the Memorial Garden (with Trustee, Barry Eaton, explaining its background and importance to the Club to her), the Computer Suite (sponsored by FMC Lithium), the outdoor sporting facilities, the classrooms and the ‘tuck shop’ area. Dame Lorna spent time with staff and young people looking at taking part in the Wirral Youth Parliament. She described to many of the young people present the role and significance of Her Majesty’s position within the UK constitution and her role as Lord- Lieutenant in support of The Queen within Merseyside. Dame Lorna commented: “It was very exciting to come to Shaftesbury Youth Club. The work being undertaken by the Club is crucial to the local community and to its young people. Those I met were all enthusiastic about attending the Club and were very open with me about why. I very much enjoyed my visit. It has given me a glimpse of how the Club cares about its young people, cares about the local community and how lucky they all are that the Club continues its crucial work. Chair, John E Jones added: “It was a pleasure to show Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant around the Club and to introduce her to numerous people who attend, work and volunteer at the Shaftes”. 8 wirrallife.com BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL IMPRESSES AGAIN WITH EXAM RESULTS Birkenhead School is celebrating after pupils achieved excellent results in the recent GCSE and A Level exams reaffirming the school’s position in the region. The GCSE results were the best results for the School since 2013 with 92% of grades at A*- B or equivalent and 38% of grades awarded at the top A* grade or equivalent. The girls highlighted again the benefits of a co-educational learning environment with 79% of GCSE grades being gained at A*/A placing them as the top performing girls cohort in Wirral. This year, the School’s A Level results were led by James Budworth who achieved 4A*s, in Latin, Economics, Maths and Further Maths, alongside a top grade in AS Greek and now progresses onto Oxford University to read Classics. Over 10% of pupils are going on to study Medicine including Connie Sturgess who will study at University College, London after gaining A*s in Chemistry and Biology and an A in Maths. Some students are travelling further afield with Elliot Bainbridge undertaking his university studies in the US after securing a Golf and Economics Scholarship at Knox University in Chicago. Headmaster, Paul Vicars comments: “This year’s results are a great endorsement of the work and spirit of the students and whole School community. During a year of significant national exam turbulence, a constant remains that if you surround hard working young men and women with the appropriate academic and pastoral support, they will achieve great things. Particularly strong performances were in Mathematics GCSE with 23% of pupils gaining the new prestigious grade 9 compared to just 3.5% nationally. I should also mention the results of our girls at GCSE who swept all before them. I couldn’t be prouder of all our students and staff who achieved these results.” Open Day for Seniors and Sixth Form entry is being held on Saturday 23rd September 11am-2pm.