Shouts of joy as students open top GCSE grades at St Wilfrid's RC college

Niamh Menzie, Daniel Martin and Anika Bushra with their amazing results.

Pupils at St Wilfrid's RC College in South Shields were amazed at the excellent passes they received today.

Peter Mitchell, headteacher, said: "We are absolutely delighted with our best GCSE results to date using the new DfE reporting format."Overall attainment is up on last year with an Attainment 8 average of 52.8 points and over half of the year group achieving the new grade 5 or better in English and Maths.

"We would like to congratulate our pupils an achieving some magnificent results that truly reflect their efforts. I would also like to thank parents, guardians and staff for the support given throughout the GCSE journey."

Anikia Bushra, 16, from Law Top, South Shields, was left feeling nervous after sitting her exams, so was feeling slightly worried about picking up her results.

However, there was no need to be as she was awarded six level 9 passes and four grade 8s.

Anika will now be studying A-levels in the three sciences, plus maths, at the school's sixth form.

She said: "After a few of the exams I came out thinking I hand't done so well and I genuinely was a bit nervous.

"But to get six 9s is amazing, I'm really pleased with that.

"I hope one day to work in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) industry."

Niamh Menzie, 6, from Harton Village, South Shields, is hoping for a career in medicine or dentistry after gaining three 9s, six 8s and a distinction star in her GCSEs.

She said: "I am absolutely buzzing, I wanted just one 9 and I ended up with three of them.

"I'm going to be studying biology, chemistry, maths and geography at sixth form next. One day I'd like to be a doctor or a dentist."

Daniel Martin, 16, from Marsden, South Shields, is keeping his options open after receiving six 9s, two 8s and two 7s in his GCSEs.

He said: "I am really pleased with my results, it was quite a shock, but a happy one.

"I'm going to study the three sciences and maths at sixth form but I'm not entirely sure what I want to end up doing just yet."