Samworth Church Academy is celebrating the successes of its GCSE students today.

Principal Lisa McVeigh said: “In an unusual year for our students we are extremely proud of them and how they have approached recent events.

“As with last week’s A-level results, their grades were submitted to the exam boards using all the evidence at our disposal and in the fairest way possible – and so reflect the hard work that they put into their courses and their mock exams before the lock down was enforced.

“As always there are some outstanding individual achievements that are well-deserved and we wish all our students the very best for their futures and know that many of them will return to our sixth form.”

Student Sam Kerry, who achieved eight 9s and two 7s, said: “I am really happy about my results, they are what I wanted. I am staying on to take my A-levels at Samworth in maths, physics and geography.”

Mae Douglas (pictured top) achieved two 9s, seven 8s and one 7 and said: “I am really happy with my results and wouldn’t have asked for anything different. I am going to stay on at Samworth to do my A-levels in geography, psychology and applied science. I am really looking forward to going back and seeing my friends again, it seems such a long time since we were at school! My family are really proud of me.”

Amy-Louise Smithson, who received one 9, three 8s, three 7s, three 6s and will go onto study chemistry, biology and English literature at Joseph Whitaker School, Rainworth, said there were a few nerves before seeing her results.

“I was so nervous and was worried because of all the recent news stories. I worried that I wouldn’t get what I wanted or needed. Then when I opened the results, I was just so pleased! The past five years have come to something that I can be proud of.”

Amy-Louise says that there were a few tears all round. “I am pleased that the waiting is over now but there are a few people I will miss, particularly Miss Barker, my English teacher and Miss Geary, my Spanish teacher. My family are really proud of me but I think mum and I are the most happy – we both cried a bit!

Principal Lisa McVeigh said Samworth is building on its successes year on year. “Despite the challenges of the past few months, our vision for the academy remains a long-term vision and consists of an ambitious wide-ranging agenda. We will do everything we can to achieve this for all of our fantastic students in the years ahead,” she added.