A leading gymnast proved the importance of balance as she succeeded in her sport and the classroom. Francesca Gowland achieved ten GSCEs despite having to train on two school afternoons a week so she could compete at the highest level in artistic gymnastics. The 16-year-old student at Carmel College, Darlington, of Wynyard, competes nationally in vault, floor, bar and beam and is ranked 41st in the country. “I have been involved in gymnastics since I was three and train on a Tuesday and Friday afternoon,” she said. “My school has been brilliant at helping me catch up with my studies and this shows with my grades which I am delighted with.” Francesca hopes to study a sports related degree in America and compete in the collegiate network. “The dream is to become a physiotherapist one day for the NFL,” she added.
Water polo player Gregor Marsland made a splash as he gained nine GCSEs including a 9 in maths. The 16-year-old, of Darlington, a member of Sedgefield Water Polo Club, has played for Team GB in the past after securing a place in the National Academy. A centre back, he is training constantly with a view to being part of the GB team at the European Championships in 2028. “I love water polo as it is so fast paced,” he said. He will study A levels in biology, chemistry and maths at Carmel Sixth Form.
Carmel College proved a safe haven for two Ukrainian students who fled the war in their home country. Sofiia Mazhuha, 16 of Kyiv and Jane Harasymko, of Ivano-Frankivsk, were both celebrating after securing seven GCSEs despite not speaking any English when they arrived in Darlington in 2022. “In Ukraine we heard explosions all the time and had to hide underground,” said Jane. “At Carmel we felt safe and supported by the teachers who helped us with our English. I miss my friends and family but like England and would like to stay here to work in medicine. Sofiia added: “I am going to study criminology and psychology and would love to be a detective one day.”
Top performing student Eleandra Origlia has one eye on a career in biomedical engineering after securing top GSCE results. The 16-year-old Carmel College student gained seven 9s and three 8s and will now study A levels in maths, physics, biology and French with a view to reading a bio-medical engineering degree at university. “I think I would like to do something in biomedicine as I like the idea of making things to help people,” she said.
Space will be the next frontier for 16-year-old Lee Brown whose dream it is to be an astrophysicist. He collected seven 9s and two 8s and plans to take A levels in physics, maths, further maths and biology, with a hope of reading a degree at Cambridge. “Space is a growing area with so much to discover,” he said. “I’d like to be a research scientist to see how space can help life on Earth.”
Twins Eleanor and Sam Pattison had a matching number of GCSEs as they collected their results yesterday. The 16-year-olds, of Newton Aycliffe, are heading in different directions as Sam looks at maths and physics for a career in engineering and Eleanor wants to study sociology and psychology.
Budding actor Josh Kay is hoping to tread the boards after collecting a successful set of GCSE results allowing him to secure a place on an acting course. A member of Darlington Operatic Society, he has enjoyed lead roles in a succession of school productions since he was 14. “I’ve loved performing at Carmel College and one daydream of being on the stage in the West End,” he said. “Being in the school production of Little Shop of Horrors really inspired me to think that I can make a career out of acting.”
Principal Mel Kane said: “Our students and staff worked so hard preparing for these examinations and excellent results. I am so happy that they have been rewarded with outcomes that surpass national and regional ones. It is great, for the vast majority, that their Carmel journey will continue in our sixth form.”