Eight years ago Hannah dislocated her hip and for most of her secondary education she was in considerable pain and got around as best she could on crutches. Her education was severely disrupted and she missed a lot of time at school. In May 2007, when she was just about to take her GCSEs, her surgeon decided to operate and replace her hip. This was a decision that was not taken lightly as her surgeon had never replaced a hip on anyone as young as Hannah and it was deemed an extremely risky procedure.

The operation was a success and, remarkably, Hannah was awarded GCSEs that enabled her to progress to QE in September 2007 – again on crutches after her operation. However, her rehabilitation was not easy and learning to walk unaided resulted in knee problems and another operation at Christmas 2007. This again disrupted her progress but Hannah soldiered on.

At the end of her first year at College, Hannah had some success in her AS Levels but only attained a grade E in her Chemistry – the subject she had come to love and the one she needed to go onto university to follow her chosen career of working in a lab developing new drugs.

Hannah explains:

"When I moved to QE I had the basic GCSE requirements but, in reality, I was such a long way behind and my first year results were disappointing, especially my Chemistry which I was determined to improve upon. I therefore continued with some of my A Levels into A2 and the second year but started my Chemistry again from scratch. Alan Scaplehorn has been my Chemistry teacher for the three years I’ve been at QE and he has been an inspiration and a massive support to me. He made me believe in myself, helped me all he could and added to my love of Chemistry by making the subject fun! He's just the perfect teacher and I owe him loads – my career wouldn’t be where it is today without him."

Alan Scaplehorn, Director of Science at QE comments:

"Hannah has done so well to overcome her problems to achieve such success. Her cheerful perseverance and exemplary attitude to her College work are an example to all students. Hannah was mature enough to recognise when she needed some help and put in extra hours to revise and check answers with her teachers. Her own medical problems have impacted on her so much that her ambition is to help others by working in an environment that develops new treatments and drugs. Best wishes to Hannah in the future – I am sure she will meet all the targets she sets for herself."

Hannah now has full A Levels in Psychology, Media: Communication & Production - both gained in 2009 - and Biology, Applied Science and Chemistry which she found out about today.

Eight students gained 4 of the new A* grades at A Level – a phenomenal achievement meaning that they gained over 90% in all of their second year units.

The 8 students are Adam Shield, Catherine Hodgson, Jonathan Coulthard, Michael Parry, Andrew Williamson, Lauren Fraser, Helen Greetham and Eleanor Storey.

Principal Tim Fisher comments:

“Such achievements are staggering. The A* was introduced this year to help identify the very best students. We are therefore very proud of the 8 students who have achieved 4 A*s – an exceptional achievement.”

Pictured are Michael Parry and Jonathan Coulthard both of whom are going on to Oxford University to read Physics.

Matthew is exceptional and has lived a normal, active life excelling in sport, particularly football.

Matt says:

"My parents have always worried about me and were initially cautious about me being involved in sport but I love football and in my early teens was signed up by Middlesbrough FC. My ambition was to be a professional footballer but it wasn’t to be and recently I’ve been dogged by injury which has even prevented me from playing A team football for QE. Realising I wouldn’t be able to pursue a professional footballing career I had to re-assess what I wanted to do and with the support of my teachers at QE, particularly PE teacher Mark Scott, I got involved with sport in the community and have done a lot of work with football for the disabled, particularly football for the blind. This week I’ve been volunteering in Hereford at the Football Blind World Cup – it’ been fantastic!

I haven’t found A Levels easy but have had a lot of support at QE and the staff there have been great. I’m looking forward to going to Leeds Met University and doing more voluntary work in the community.”

Teacher Mark Scott adds:

“Matt is a great student. His confidence and self belief have grown and he is an excellent ambassador for sport and for QE. His commitment to helping others to benefit from sport – football in particular - is outstanding and the work he is doing as a volunteer is to be commended. He deserves his success and I’m sure he will thrive in his future career coaching sport.”

Laura - who lives in Bedale - has always been inquisitive, asking questions and searching for answers. Her love of learning meant that by the time she was 16 she already had attained A grades in A Level Critical Thinking, IT and Maths and followed this up in her first year at QE with two more A Levels at grade A – this time in French and Law. Laura’s results today add 2 more As and one A* grade to her impressive portfolio of A Level results - she was delighted to get A* in History and As in English Literature and Physics. In addition, Laura also achieved an A in AS Level Philosophy and did brilliantly well in her Extended Project which was graded A* star.

Laura had an unconditional offer to read Law at Pembroke College, Cambridge and intends to eventually join the legal profession as either a barrister or solicitor.

Laura says:

“I’ve enjoyed being at QE and it’s been particularly beneficial having access to staff who answer anything you care to ask and who encourage you to develop your interest in subjects. As well as my studies I’ve gained a lot from being involved at QE in college debates and the national mock trial competition. I’ve been interested in Law from an early age – it comes from having a sense of right and wrong – and I’m really looking forward to going to Cambridge.”

Commenting on Laura’s achievements, Tim Fisher, Principal of QE adds:

"At QE we have many tremendously talented students; even in such able company Laura’s remarkable achievements stand out. To gain 8 A Levels with the highest grades takes great ambition and a true thirst for learning. It has been a pleasure to work with Laura and I wish her all the best for what I am sure will be a sparkling academic career at Cambridge University."

Whatever his results, George’s future career is assured as he has an unconditional offer to study nursing at Huddersfield University – the admissions officers were so impressed with him that they wanted him no matter what his results. Whilst George is in Huddersfield, his sister Steph will be in North Carolina, America enjoying a golfing scholarship at Pfeiffer University and studying Sports Management. Steph is recognised as an outstanding future talent in women’s international golf having a handicap of 2.8, captaining County Durham Ladies, Woodham and Oakleaf Ladies. She has also represented QE and was part of the North East team which won gold at the British Colleges’ Sport championships earlier this year.

George and Steph are often taken for twins but, in fact, George is a year older than Steph and has been at QE for three years whilst Steph completed her A Level studies after two years. The two are extremely supportive of each other and are proud of each other’s achievements.

Steph says of George:

"He works so hard and always does his best to ensure his marks are as high as possible. He could have taken it easy after getting his unconditional offer but he didn’t – he put even more effort in. He’ll make a brilliant nurse – he’s so gentle, sensitive and kind.”

George is equally effusive about his sister’s talent. He says:

“She is so talented and absolutely dedicated. Golf is her life and the time she puts in to practise is unbelievable – she doesn’t have time for a social life but has managed to find the time to work for her A Levels as well as perfecting her golf. I just know she is going to be a real star in women’s golf and I am so proud of her achievements.”

George and Steph both started playing golf at the age of 12. Steph took to the sport readily and has never looked back whilst George doesn’t play now but is an avid supporter of his sister.

Steph continues:

“I can’t wait to go to America and we’ve already arranged that George will come over to stay with me next summer. I’m so excited at the prospect of playing and practising golf for 7 hours each day. I know it will be hard and I will miss my family but it’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m determined to make the most of it. Eventually I’ll turn professional in America.”

George already has A Level Art and his results this year are in A Level English Language, A Level Media and AS Level Health & Social Care. Steph’s results are in A Level Art, PE & Coaching and Performance Studies.

Vice Principal, Anita Blackburn concludes:

“Steph and George have been a pleasure to know. They are an absolute delight – very close to each other and very different in their approach and talents. They have both got a lot to look forward to and both deserve to be highly successful. I wish them well.”

The boys underwent a rigorous interview process before being selected and each will receive ukp1000 per term for each of the three years they will study engineering at university. During their time at university they will be expected to achieve high standards and will have placements and links with Cummins, Henry Williams, Mech Tool and CTC Marine.

Stella Barnes, Higher Education and Careers Adviser at QE, comments:

“This is a wonderful chance for the students to gain practical experience whilst completing their engineering degree courses. In this day and age financial support at this level is to be applauded and we are confident that Fraser, Gary, Ben and Ian will make the most of this opportunity. They have done exceptionally well and we are proud of their achievements.”