SMART students across the Tees Valley area are one step closer to pursing their dream careers after earning the GCSE grades needed to take them on to apprenticeships and higher education studies.

Hundreds of teaching staff and students from secondary schools in Darlington and Teesside are celebrating the A* achievements of hard-working teenagers after years of completing coursework and exams.

One Darlington student overcame the odds to sail through his GCSEs after achieving four A* and six A grades, as well as being selected for Team GB’s Paralympic development sailing squad.

Carmel College pupil, Adam Billany, 16, sacrificed competing in world championship competitions to sit his final exams, however the young athlete, who has cerebral palsy, hopes to represent the country in the 2024 Paralympics.

He was joined by fellow Carmel College student, Alana Prior, who attained nine A* grades and one A grade despite taking her GCSEs at the same time as competing in national level track and road cycling competition.

Elsewhere in Darlington, triplets, Laura, Megan and Chloe Summers, studying at St Aidan’s Academy, secured 34 A* and A grades between them.

The trio’s success contributed to the school’s best ever A* to A grade performance and principal, Nicole Gibbon said: “These results show we're making rapid progress in some areas and transforming performance in others. We're very pleased to be moving forward so positively.”

At Yarm School, 39 per cent of students achieved A* grades – a huge leap on last year’s North-East average of five per cent A* attainment.

Fourteen pupils achieved ten or more A* grades and Yarm School headmaster, David Dunn said: “Pupils are excelling at traditional, more difficult academic subjects which are valued by universities and employers.”

At Haughton Academy, in Darlington, Lucy Lei achieved outstanding GCSE results – despite being unable to speak English eight years ago.

Lucy moved with her mother from China and began primary school knowing only a few words in English, however her dedication has seen her earn six A* and six A grades

The Chinese national said: “I still remember my first day at primary school, seeing all the faces, and feeling homesick and scared but I am very happy now. Everyone has been so nice and supportive and my results are better than I thought they would be.”

For Darlington School of Mathematics and Science (DSMS) student, Chloe Lay, the 16-year-old achieved 11 GCSEs, including seven A* and A grades, despite spending several weeks in hospital after a back operation.

She was bedbound for nine weeks after her surgery in March, but she struggled through chronic pain that was treated with morphine in a bid to earn her GCSEs.

She said: “I knew my GCSEs were really important and I managed to find the strength to study.

"I now feel like everything is finally over and I can move forward - I can think about the future and get myself even better than I am already.”

For The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, student athlete, Libby Hedger, she achieved seven A* and three A grades after also representing Cleveland in the prestigious English Schools competition during her studies.

At Hurworth School, near Darlington, about one third of all pupils left with at least three or more A* to A grades.

Thirty-eight Egglescliffe School students, based in Stockton-on-Tees, shared 347 A* to A grades between them with 91 per cent of Teesside High School pupils secured five A* to C grade GCSEs.

At Conyers’ School, in Yarm, every single student achieved GCSE qualifications and at Manor Community Academy, in Hartlepool, 75 per cent of pupils achieved their GCSE goals.