World-class cricketer Emily had particular reasons to be proud after receiving top marks today.
During her time at The English Martyrs Catholic School, Emily has had to balance her studies with her sporting career as she toured Indonesia, Australia, Fiji, India and Thailand as a member of the Indonesia Women’s National Cricket Team.
During the Southeast Asian Games, in which her team were runners-up, Emily became the youngest player in the world to score an international half‑century.
Closer to home, she also plays for Hartlepool Cricket Club and Durham County Cricket, where she became the highest run scorer for the Durham Pathway, and received the Durham Female Emerging Player Award last season.
She was subsequently named Hartlepool Secondary Sports Personality of the Year – and still found time to play football for Durham FC Women, making her Under‑21 debut against Chelsea.
Today she picked up eight Grade 9s and three Grade 8s, including additional GCSEs in Further Mathematics and Physical Education – which hasn’t helped her decide between a future in finance or sport.
Emily says that they were just about the grades she was expecting and is very happy with her results.
She is now going to take Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry at the school’s sixth form college, EM6, before going on to university.
“Emily’s achievements reflect not only exceptional talent, but also commitment, resilience and ambition,” said Executive Headteacher, Andrew Rogers.
“She has been a truly outstanding ambassador for The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College.”
Students at Hartlepool’s Manor Community Academy, one of 17 secondary academies sponsored by the Northern Education Trust, also achieved some of their best ever GCSE results, building on the success of last year.
The academy has also secured a record-breaking number of strong passes (Grade 5+) in English and maths. An amazing 52% of students overall achieved a strong pass in English and maths, while 72% achieved the grade 4+ pass in English and maths.
There were some outstanding individual successes:
Oliver G achieved three grade 9s, including English and maths, four grade 8s and one grade 7
Alfie M achieved five grade 9s, including English and maths, one grade 7, one grade 6 and one grade 5
Mathew H achieved two grade 9s, three grade 8s, including English and maths, and three grade 7s
Steven Jones, Principal of Manor Community Academy, thanked the students and staff for their efforts and commitment, saying: “This is another excellent set of results for Manor Community Academy. The students have worked extremely hard to achieve at these levels, with some students having overcome difficult barriers to do so. I’d like to thank the staff for their continued passion for ensuring our students succeed – these results are testament to their energy and enthusiasm for helping our students achieve the very best from their education.”
St Hild’s, on the Headland, also celebrated some fantastic GCSE results and staff could not be prouder of their Year 11 pupils. Outcomes in all subjects have improved, more significantly in the importance of English and maths measures.
Headmaster, Mr Martin, who joined Saint Hilda’s in September 2025, was delighted to share the success with staff, students, and parents/carers.
He said: “Our students have shown incredible ambition and resilience over the last five years, and these results are testament to how far they have come, supported by our incredible staff. We are thrilled to see that so many students can move onto their next steps with confidence. Whilst there are successes for the school overall, there are some individual achievements that deserve a special mention.”
Councillor Jim Lindridge, chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, Alison Sutherland, the council’s Executive Director of Children’s Services, and Fiona Stobbs, the council’s Interim Assistant Director (Education), visited High Tunstall College of Science to meet students on the day and congratulate them on their results.
Students across a broad range of subjects received outcomes that the college’s leaders describe as a testament to sustained effort and effective support.
Many students met or exceeded expectations, producing a significant number of personal success stories, including those who overcame challenges, and securing grades that open doors to further study, apprenticeships and employment.
Carys Barker passed all nine of her GCSEs and was particularly delighted to gain Maths and a grade 7 in Drama.
She explained: “I have Asperger’s, so when I first came to High Tunstall I was very, very shy and used to wear ear defenders to block out loud noises.
“I had struggled all my academic years with maths, but this year I really got my head down, and it has paid off – I’m over the moon. All the teachers have been amazing.”
The 16-year-old is a member of Hartlepool Stage Society and has her sights firmly set on a career on the small screen.
She added: “I’m going to Stockton Riverside College to do Acting for Stage and Screen, and after that I want to progress into acting in TV soaps – Emmerdale is my big dream, and I want to be the next Lewis Cope!”
Fellow student Will Eddowes-Cahill, also 16, was glowing with pride at his results, earning nine GCSEs including grade 9s in Maths and English Language and grade 8s in French, Biology, Chemistry, History and Physics.
He was especially proud of his English Language result – “It was just amazing – I really enjoy the freedom of creative writing that English Language offers.”
He added: “I have absolutely loved my time at High Tunstall. The teachers have been great, especially my maths teacher Mr Majeed – I was on track to get a grade 6, but he got me to grade 9.”
His next stop is Hartlepool Sixth Form College to study Physics, History and Sociology, after which he plans to go to university to study either History or Physics.
Mark Tilling, High Tunstall College of Science Head Teacher, said: “We are proud of the hard work and dedication of the class of 2026.
“We know how hard the students worked and that great attendance, dedication and commitment to studies have seen students achieve their potential.
“We wish every young person the very best for the future and look forward to seeing them achieve even more as they move on in their education, employment and training choices.”
Councillor Lindridge said: “It has been a privilege to meet the High Tunstall students this morning and I have been amazed listening to their individual stories, especially those who have overcome often substantial personal challenges. Their excitement for the future was truly infectious! I wish them – and all today’s GCSE students right across Hartlepool – success and good luck in the years ahead. We look forward to great things from them.”
He went on: “I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all Hartlepool students receiving their GCSE results today. Reaching this milestone takes determination, resilience and hard work. Whatever your results, I hope you will feel proud of all you have achieved and the progress you have made during your time at school.”
Cllr. Lindridge added: “I would also like to thank the teachers, parents, carers and families who have supported and encouraged you along the way. Whether your next step is sixth form, college, an apprenticeship, training or employment, I wish you all every success for the future.”
Images by Michael Gant
