ONE of the top GCSE performers at Nova Hreod Academy came to the UK four years ago with no English but is now setting his sights on a career as a surgeon after clocking up six A*s and three As.

Tom Ferreira was one of the 62 per cent of children who achieved at least five A* to C grades including English and maths in the summer exams.

The 16-year-old, who is going to study biology at New College Swindon, is aiming for an Oxbridge degree course.

He arrived from Portugal in 2012 and had to learn the language fast to keep up with his classmates.

“It was difficult but I’m glad I did it because there are more opportunities living here,” he said.

One of his six A*s was in Portuguese, but he admitted he didn’t quite manage to score 100 per cent in that subject.

“I knew I had done well but I was quite surprised with 100 per cent in science,” he said.

He added he wasn’t entirely sure about further maths but was delighted with his A* grade.

“I didn’t want any Bs - that would have spoilt it,” he said.

Naomi Hope didn’t know what to expect when she picked up her results to find she had scored five A*s, an A with a distinction and a B in addition to the two A grades she gained last year.

Now she is preparing to study maths, physics, chemistry and computer science at college and wants to do a degree in maths at university.

“I just enjoy maths but it is only recently that I have started to think I can actually take it further,” she said.

Academy principal Darren Barton said: “We are delighted that we have not only sustained last year’s tremendous improvement, but seen another increase in our headline GCSE measure.

“This upward trend is a just reward for the dedication our students, who have worked incredibly hard over the past two years, and our staff, who have been crucial to this success.

“What is particularly pleasing is that these results mean that students at Nova Hreod are getting the grades they need to move on successfully to the next stages of education and the world of work.

"Congratulations to all our students celebrating today, I hope they are all proud of their achievements and I wish them all the best for the future.”

The figures included an increase in the number of disadvantaged children eligible for the pupil premium who attained five A* to C grades including English and maths. A total of 59 per cent made the grade, up from 43 per cent last year and 22 per cent in 2014.