Aspiring lawyer gets the verdict he hoped for

AN aspiring young lawyer got the verdict he was hoping for when he was awarded top grades in his GCSEs.

Bertie Wood, 16, from Brafferton, was among seven RGS students who achieved ten top grade 9s or more, amid an excellent set of overall results which saw an impressive 97.6 percent of all grades awarded to the 131-strong year group at level 9-5 (the equivalent of A*-Bs).

Keen sportsman and actor Bertie, who was awarded ten grade 9s and two grade 8s, now plans to take A-levels in chemistry, history, maths and business studies or economics and pursue a career in law.

Bertie, who juggled his studies with playing badminton, cricket and football alongside part-time holiday jobs, including dog-walking and fruit-picking, and amateur dramatics both in and out of school, said he was delighted with his results: “I’m extremely happy and think they reflect the hard work I put into my studies. I look forward to my future at RGS and beyond and this is a great start.”

He is particularly pleased to have been awarded a grade 9 in the additional GCSE he took in Latin, with classes held during lunchtime and after school: “I am very grateful to all of the amazing staff at RGS for keeping me motivated and pushing me to achieve my best,” he said.

Bertie, who has played the lead in a number of school drama productions, added: “It was a shame to have our school year abruptly cut short and I would have loved to celebrate our results with my friends and have a chance to properly thank all of my teachers.

“But lockdown has given me plenty of time to relax as well as learn valuable new skills such as the guitar. However, there is only so much Netflix I can possibly watch, and I am eager to get back to school and see my friends again."