A teenager who spent his lunch-times breaking bones for science experiments has scooped top marks in his GCSE exams.
Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan pupil Alex Dry picked up six A* grades and four As and now plans to study for his A levels at the Abergele school, before heading to university.
He was among dozens who arrived at the campus today to collect their results, which head teacher Lee Cummins described as “outstanding”, with all pupils gaining at least five GCSE passes.
He said: “This is a fantastic set of results and is a huge success for everyone. I am particularly pleased that 100 per cent of learners have achieved five GCSE passes.
“The results are an improvement on previous years, and build on the school’s excellent A level results from last week, which again had a 100 per cent pass rate.
“I am delighted with the increasing success of our learners to achieve such good GCSE results. This is very good news for our learners and everyone associated with the school. Learners of all abilities have achieved the results they deserve through hard work and commitment.”
He added: “I would like to thank the staff and parents for their hard work in ensuring students are able to confidently move on to the next stage of their learning journey. They have all clearly risen to the challenge of ‘daring to achieve’ at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan.”
Alex, who has ambitions on becoming a surgeon, said: “I’m pleased with the results, and I’m looking forward to starting my sixth form studies. My plan is to study medicine and eventually become a surgeon.
“My mum, who works in the canteen at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan, is really pleased. The school has been excellent with supportive teachers who have helped me a lot,” added Alex, who also landed a C in Welsh.
Lucy Humphreys, 16, of Prestatyn, scored two A*s, five As and three Bs and will join the school’s sixth form to study history, English literature and art,
She said: “I am really pleased and looking forward to my A level studies and eventually going to university. I am still unsure yet about what I want to do as a career.”
Annie-Rose Williams, 16, of Kinmel Bay, scored two As, four Bs and three Cs and says she is delighted with her results.
She said: “I’m really pleased – my results are better than I expected. I’m going onto college to study performing arts, which is all I want to do.”
Also moving onto college will be Abergele student Lauren Cole, 16, who has ambitions to study medicine.
She said: “I got two A*s, four As, four Bs and four Cs. I’m going to college to study chemistry, biology and physiology. I want to eventually become a doctor and would love to work in A&E.”
Ebony Davies, 16, of Abergele was pleased with her two As, four Bs and three Cs and will also move onto college to study graphic design.
She said: “I’m so happy, especially with my C in maths. I always got a D in mock papers and wasn’t expecting a C. All the hard work has paid off!”
Sarah Peterson, 16, of Towyn, took her brother, Michael, 23, along for moral support as she collected her results.
She said: “I’m really pleased, as I got eight As and two Bs. I’m returning to the sixth form and will study English literature, RE and history. My plan is to become a primary school teacher in the future.”
Laura Gough, 16, of Kinmel Bay says she did better than expected after finding out she had got five Cs and a B.
She said: “I’m very pleased. It means I hope to come back to the sixth form and study health and social care.”
Laura’s proud dad Steve, a technical engineer, says he is thrilled with his daughter’s results.
He said: “She has done really well. It isn’t all about A*s. Laura has worked very hard and really applied herself. A year ago we would never expected these results. She really got down to hard work not just in school but at home too.”
Megan Gizzi, 16, of Abergele, picked up her results with her mum Michelle Chan and said she was thrilled with her three As and seven Bs.
She said: “I plan on returning to the sixth form to study design technology, maths and sport. I want to go to university but I haven’t decided on a career yet.
“The school has been excellent and the teachers really good. They are very supportive and give you all the help you need.”
Michelle said: “She has got a fantastic set of results and I couldn’t be more pleased. Megan has worked really hard. I really am a very proud mum!”
Nikita Thomas, 16, of Rhuddlan, picked up her results with supper proud mum Moira.
She scored five As, four Bs and a C and is now planning on studying English literature, creative writing and physiology at A Level.
She said: “I’m very pleased and would like to thank all my teachers and the school for being so supportive. The plan is to eventually go to university to study to become a clinical psychologist.”
Mum Moira added: “I’m so proud of her and what she has achieved. She has worked really hard and deserves her success. The school has been wonderful too. The teachers work so hard and give the kids lots of one to ones which is important.”
