ACROSS Teesside there was plenty of joyful tears and pleasant surprises as students collected their GCSE results.

At Unity City Academy, in Middlesbrough, the school celebrated a marked improvement in their Maths and English combined GCSE results of 31 per cent at Grade 9 to 4.

Part of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), the academy has improved performance under the new, tougher GCSE exams that have been introduced over the last few years.

Andy Rogers, headteacher at Unity City Academy, part of the Academies Enterprise Trust, said: “We are happy with the results our students have achieved this year as they demonstrate a large shift in the progress students are making at Unity City Academy.

“In particular the results of Paige Risker, Kyle Charville and Mohamed Aldabatti all who achieved grade 7 and 8s in multiple subjects.”

Schools Minister Lord Agnew said: “Congratulations to all the pupils and staff at Unity City Academy, and the wider team at AET, on reaching the culmination of much hard work.

“GCSE results day marks the moment so many young people will make choices that can shape the rest of their lives, so whatever path they choose, every pupil at Unity City Academy should do so full of confidence.”

Guisborough’s Laurence Jackson School saw a large numbers of high achievers, including Melody Fife who achieved four Grade 9s in biology, English language, geography and physics.

She exceeded her target grades in eight of her subjects and hopes to study biology, geology and English literature at Prior Pursglove College.

A keen mountain biker, Melody achieved her results after she was recently helicoptered off the French Alps after dislocating her shoulder.

Students at The Grangefield Academy, in Stockton, one of ten secondary academies sponsored by Northern Education Trust, achieved some of their best ever GCSE results, with the progress of students significantly above the national average.

A 76 per cent of students overall achieved a pass in English and maths, equalling the results from 2018.

Kate Wright, acting principal of The Grangefield Academy thanked the students and staff for their efforts, adding: “I’m absolutely delighted with their achievements.”