GCSE results: Hebburn Comprehensive pupils celebrate top marks

The school, in Campbell Park Road, saw 62% of pupils pick up five A* to C grades, including maths and English, and 70% earned five A* to C grades overall.

Headteacher Dave Thompson said: “Our students have performed exceptionally well again this year, with all key progress indicators expected to be significantly above the national average, including the new Attainment and Progress 8 scores introduced for 2016, and this in spite of the fact that prior attainment for the year group was below national average when they joined us in 2011.

“Given the demands of more rigorous performance measures and increased challenge in GCSE examinations, this is a fantastic accomplishment.

“We are extremely pleased that, despite the raft of changes implemented by the government over recent years, students have continued to make outstanding progress at the school.”

He added: “I am extremely proud of everything the year group has achieved, and I would like to wish all students the very best of luck for whatever they choose to do in the future.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers, as well as governors for their support, and I express my gratitude to a highly-committed staff who have invested a huge amount of time and energy into facilitating our excellent results.”

Among the high achievers was 16-year-old Beth Newby, from Hebburn, who picked up 10 straight A*s.

She’s hoping to go to Harton Sixth Form in September and to go on to have a career in science.

She said: “I’m elated. I got such a shock when I opened them, I didn’t think I was going to do so well.”

Lauren Ingram, 16, from Hebburn, hasn’t missed a day of school in five years.

She picked up two A*s, seven As and a B. She’s also hoping to go to Harton Sixth Form, and to have a career in medicine.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I opened them, I was so excited. It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s all worth it now.”

Emily Russell, 16, from Hebburn, scooped eight As and two Bs. She’s going to Newcastle Sixth Form College and hopes to have a career in psychology.

She said: “I was so shocked when I saw my results. There’s been lots of hard work but it’s all worth it and I’m chuffed with my results.”

Zara Teasdale, 16, from Hebburn, picked up two A*s, six As and two Bs. She’s off to study A-levels at Cardinal Hume Catholic School, in Gateshead, and hopes to have a career as a dancer or in sport.

She said: “I was really happy when I saw my results – I was shocked. I was hoping to do well but didn’t expect this.”

Lucy Bell, 16, from Hebburn, also has a 100% attendance record throughout her time at the school.

She scooped two A*s, seven As and one B. She’s going to study at Newcastle Sixth Form College and hopes to work in music therapy.

She said: “I’m really happy, I really wasn’t expecting that. There were a few subjects that I wasn’t very confident in so I’m really pleased with my results.”

Kate Palmer, 16, from Hebburn, got four A*s, two As and four Bs. She’s joining Kate at Newcastle Sixth Form College but has dreams of a career in politics – even hoping to be elected Prime Minister one day.

She said: “I’m really, really happy about my results. I was nervous opening them and got a shock when I saw them.

“I want to go into politics and to be Prime Minister one day, that’s the goal.”