Hard work and dedication had clearly paid off as the New Road school, in Boldon Colliery, achieved its best pass rates for a long time.

There was a 15 per cent improvement on last year with 61 per cent of pupils gaining A*- C grades.

While 42.5 per cent of students gained five or more top passes including English and maths – setting a new record for the school.

Laura Gibson, 16, from Boldon Colliery, was shocked to receive one A*, two As, four Bs and three Cs.

She said: "I'm so surprised, I was really worried about my English language exam, but that turned out to be one of my best.

"I want to go on and study for my A-levels now at the new St Peter's College being built in Sunderland."

Equally as nervous was 16-year-old Jennifer Cox, from East Boldon.

The teenager felt her exams had gone disastrously wrong, but she was in for a surprise when her results revealed she'd got one A*, three As, three Bs and four C grades.

Jennifer said: "I was so nervous about going to collect them because I thought I'd messed them all up. I'm thrilled and I've just told my mam and grandma so they're chuffed to bits too."

A career in medicine is what Jonathon, Coats, 16, from West Boldon, has got his heart set on after gaining three As, three Bs, three Cs and one D.

He said: "I'm going to do A-levels in chemistry, biology and physics. I'm really pleased with my results but I revised lots, so it's paid off."

Chris Smith, deputy headteacher, said: "We would like to congratulate our students on their outstanding achievements this year.

"Boldon School is making very good progress and the efforts made by both teachers and students are now reaping their rewards.

He added: "We have worked hard in the last five years to improve student performance, so we are justifiably delighted at the impact of these strategies."