Cheers and tears (of joy) at celebrations

THERE were cheers and congratulations at Haslingden High as pupils at the school celebrated their GCSE results.

A year 11 containing students who want to be doctors, engineers and even Prime Minister were awarded a total of 187 grade 9s or A*s.

And 77pc of youngsters achieved at least a standard pass in both maths and English.

Delighted headteacher Mark Jackson said: “It has been fantastic, it is great to see the hard work pay off and so many happy, smiling students and parents.

“We are so proud of each and every one, it is undoubtedly the result of a huge amount of hard work from both staff and students.”

Top student Joe Caldwell hopes his GCSE success will be a launchpad for an eventual career in engineering.

The 16-year-old, from Edenfield, was awarded three 9s and three eights as part of his results.

Maths is his strongest subject, which he will take at Haslingden High Sixth Form, along with other A Levels in further maths and physics.

Joe said: “When I came out of my exams I thought I’ve got whatever I’ve got, I can’t change my results now.

“I thought I’d done quite well but not as well as this. I enjoy maths and quite a lot of it makes sense to me.”

The diagnosis was good on GCSE results day for aspiring doctor Minnie Targett-Penwill.

Minnie, 16, of Edenfield, was awarded nine GCSEs, which included three 9s, in ●● Haslingden High students celebrate science, English language and English literature.

She also gained three 8s and three 7s and is set for A levels in biology, chemistry, physics and PE before hopefully studying medicine.

Minnie said: “After the exams I forgot about results day until this Monday, after that I was always thinking about it.

“We went out for a friend’s birthday last night and it was all we could talk about.”

There was double delight for one family at Haslingden High after twin sisters both achieved top GCSE marks.

Alyssia Hambleton, 16, from Bacup, was given good grades across the board, which included 9s in maths, English language and drama.

Sister Amelia also got an excellent set of results, with her best an 8 in drama.

Alyssia said: “We came in together and it was scary, we were sat in silence in the car. We’re not really competitive as we are different, I have been more academic, she has been more creative.

“If we need something explaining we can ask the other one.”

Amelia added: “It’s nice to have someone there to support you but we didn’t really revise together as we work at different paces.”

The twins will both now go their separate ways with Amelia attending Burnley College and Alyssia going to Rochdale Sixth Form. ●● Joe Caldwell ●● Minnie TargettPenwill

Mum Julie said: “I am elated they have both done well, it is a relief and I am proud. Even though they are twins they have always been individuals with different strengths.”

An ambitious student is aiming high after his GCSEs - he wants to be Prime Minister.

Tarek Ahmed, 16, from Haslingden, got his bid to become the most powerful person in the country off to a good start on results day.

He was awarded nine GCSEs, with an 8 in history among his best results, and will remain at Haslingden High for A Levels in history, sociology and religious studies.

Tarek said: “I want to help as many people as I can while making a living for myself.

“Hopefully this will be through politics and maybe at 10 Downing Street, that’s the dream.”

Worry was replaced by relief for Katie Clarke on GCSE results day.

The 16-year-old was pleasantly surprised after opening her envelope to find she had made the grade in all subjects.

Her best result was in English language and she will now take A Levels in media, PE, psychology and business.

Katie said: “I thought I’d fail science and I was worried about maths.

“I’d worked really hard and couldn’t wait to find out what I’d got, the journey in this morning was scary.”