Celebrating a rise in success at Sunderland boys' school

The teachers and pupils at St Aidan's Catholic Academy have seen a year of good GCSE grades.

Kevin Shepherd, headteacher at the school, said the early figures have shown the number of students getting a grade 5 or over in maths and English has risen from 49% last year to 58%.

He said: "That is a huge jump and we are really delighted with that.

"We are thrilled with the results overall. We are so pleased for the lads."

Mr Shepherd said 11 students, almost 10% of those who sat GCSEs, got two 9s each and 20 of the youngsters got at least one 9.

Among the top performing students was Robert Dunlop, 16, who clinched an amazing seven 9s, one 7 and an A*.

The teenager is planning to stay on at the sixth form to study A-levels in maths, further maths and physics, he will also be doing A-level music outside of school.

Robert said: "I'm not really sure what I want to do, but I'm thinking of studying physics at university.

"I'm really pleased with my results, I did a fair bit better than I expected to."

Ben Foley, 16, got two 9s, three 8s, two 7s and an A*, and plans to stay on to study A-levels in maths, computer science and physics.

The Tunstall lad said: "I did do a lot of hard work, so I am pleased."

Reuben Biju, 16, from Millfield, is already flying high towards his dream of becoming a pilot after clinching a great set of GCSE results.

He got one 9, one A*, four 8s and four 7s and will be staying at sixth form to study maths, physics and English language.

Jack Barker, 16, from Ashbrooke, clinched three 9s, three 8s, two 7s and one 6 and will be staying at the sixth form to study maths, Spanish and economics.

The teenager said he was happy with his results and eventually hopes to work in the financial sector.

Joe Whelan, 16, got two 8s, four 7s and one four, and is also planning to stay on at the sixth form. He said: "I didn't expect to do that well."