From aviation to law: Haughton students aim high after record results
AN AIR cadet showed he is a real high-flyer as he collected his GCSEs proving his dream to be a pilot is taking off.
Matthew Ramtohul, a pupil and head boy at Haughton Academy, part of the Education Village, Darlington, will now study A levels in maths, further maths, physics, and chemistry with the hope of one day studying aeronautics at either Cambridge University or Leeds.
The 16-year-old has been fascinated with flying since the age of four when he visited relatives in Mauritius. After the leg to Dubai he visited the cockpit and talked to the crew.
“I was amazed the Emirates pilots were so nice and let me wear their hats,” said Matthew, who has been in 405 Darlington Squadron Air Cadets for the past five years.
“So far I’ve flown a Grob Tutor and a Grob Viking and even pulled G and didn’t pass out or feel sick. I loved it. I don’t think I have ever smiled more than that day. I have also flown a Boeing 737 simulator and it was great.”
A young gamer is responding to his call of duty as he moves to fulfil a childhood ambition of becoming a policeman.
After collecting his GCSEs, Rufus Tam, will now study e-sports games design at college, before joining a uniformed services course, as he aims to join the police.
“I have wanted to be a police officer since I was five-years-old,” said Tam, 16, who joined Haughton in Year 10.
“I really found my place at Haughton. I was promoted from prefect to senior prefect and the facilities and teachers have been great. I’ve loved been involved with Haughton News and making videos and have enjoyed learning Spanish – I’m on a 975 day streak with Duolingo.
“For more than 10 years I have wanted to be a policeman and am interested in pursuit driver training and firearms.”
A young goalkeeper is hoping to save a town’s fortunes as he strives to become a future MP.
Haughton Academy pupil Kieran Stewart, who plays for Hurworth Albion U18s, will study A levels in politics, law, sociology and economics after collecting his GCSEs.
He is hoping to study politics or law at Durham University, before embarking on a career in criminal law and then switching to politics to become a future Darlington MP.
“Haughton has been great as it has such a strong sense of community,” the 16-year-old said. “I care about people and look forward to making new friends at college. I’ve noticed that there’s a lot more development going on down south than in the North East and if I became an MP I would look to redress the balance.”
A future human rights lawyer is hoping to give a voice to those who are not heard after collecting her GCSE results at Haughton Academy.
Taylor Wolf is hopes to continue her studies at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, where she hopes to take A levels in law, politics and criminology as she works towards a career in international human rights law.
The 16-year-old says she has long been motivated by the desire to make a difference and stand up for people whose voices are often overlooked. “For a while, I’ve felt that some people aren’t heard and I want to make a difference,” said Taylor. “That’s why I’d like to become an international human rights lawyer. I want to help people and make sure their voices are heard.”
Taylor praised the support she received from staff during her time at Haughton Academy, particularly Miss Deakin, who helped her build confidence and achieve her potential. “Miss Deakin had a big impact on me,” said Taylor. “She would spend time with me in the mornings and was always supportive. She helped me do my very best.”
The school achieved a record set of examination results vastly improving in every measure. It significantly increased the number of students achieving both English and mathematics scores for Grade 4, 5 and 7 or above to be in line or better than national comparisons.
Headteacher Jane Darbyshire said: “These are the best set of results that the school has ever achieved and we are thrilled. English, maths, languages, art and graphics have all performed well above the expected standard.
“We are beyond proud of all of our Year 11 students who have all worked incredibly hard and thoroughly deserve to achieve such a wonderful set of results. Each and every one of our students has had their own journey to success – some against adversity through serious illness – and we are thrilled at what they have all accomplished through their determination and with the support of our dedicated staff team and our incredibly supportive parents/carers.”
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