NOVA Hreod Academy students celebrated their best-ever GCSE results for the third year in a row.

Ella Cleary from Haydon Wick achieved eight grades which were A* to A.

The 16-year-old said: "I was so nervous but it went really well, I'm so happy and excited.

"I was expecting to do well but not this well.

"I'm going on to New College to study the three sciences, psychology and engineering."

Ella's friend Hannah Meyer achieved similar grades and was just as delighted with her results.

She said: "I did much better than I thought, I didn't want to come in this morning.

"I got an A* in geography when I didn't think I did very well in the exam, and I got an A* in art which I want to continue to study at New College, along with psychology and engineering.

"I would like to be a tattooist."

Jordan-Lea Allen from Rodbourne was surprised when she achieved an eight in maths, amongst other good grades.

She said: "I'm really shocked, I was in one of the low maths groups in year seven so this was a massive surprise.

"I was incredibly nervous and really worried about the English and maths exams because I didn't think they'd gone very well.

"I'm so chuffed."

Afonso Ferreira did very well in a variety of subjects.

He said: "I was excited but nervous before I collected my results.

"I got an As in chemistry, Portuguese and English, and an A* equivalent in Maths, which I wasn't expecting.

"I'm going to carry on studying maths at New College, along with engineering.

"This is a good start, I'm happy."

63 per cent of students achieved five or more A*-to-C grades, including a four or above in both English and maths, which is a further improvement on the Academy's record success last year and the year before.

Cerys Poole achieved nines in English Language and English Literature, plus seven A to A* grades.

Lauren Sweatman achieved a nine in maths with six A to A* grades.

Darren Barton, Principal of Nova Hreod Academy, was very happy with this year's results.

He said: “I would like to congratulate all of our students and staff on their very hard work in achieving these strong GCSE results.

"I am particularly pleased that we have achieved such good results in the core subjects of English and maths.

"The students have risen to the challenge of the new and more demanding exams.

"Yet again, we have had some superb individual performances and I congratulate Cerys and Lauren on achieving the new top 'nine' grade.

"It's been an exceptionally-successful year.”

The ongoing road works on part of Akers Way were temporarily halted and a section of the road was opened to traffic to allow students and their families to travel to the academy by car.