Among the students and staff celebrating success in their GSCE results at Commonweal School was one pupil whose entry into college came as a late boost after a period of being self-taught in his subjects.

Wesley Newman, 16, has suffered a number of medical ailments which left him wheelchair-bound, requiring repeated hospital visits and periods in which he was bed-ridden.

But through disciplined self-learning and the late addition of formal education, he has managed to pull himself through his GCSEs with the grades he requires to go onto sixth form.

Speaking of his achievements, Wesley said: “Considering I only started in November I’m really happy with how they have gone. I have done better than I thought I would, and I have everything I need to continue with college.

“I moved from Cornwall at the start of the year, and it took me a while to get into school. I also missed some of my previous years’ education because of that.

“I’ve been in and out of hospital for many reasons and was bed-ridden because of it, so I just couldn’t get into school.

“I taught myself in that time, and had an extra boost when I started college.”

Having achieved the equivalent of one A and the rest of his results above the new pass grade of 4, Wesley is clear about where he wants to go next: “I want to start a course in game development and graphic design.”

Fellow pupil Camilo Pires, 16, was also in high spirits: “I am really pleased with my results – I’m going to Cirencester or New College and then I want a career in computing.

“The exams were good, I found them alright. I revised in good time and I think that helped me.

“I have been feeling nervous, but I am feeling okay now. It was just an anxious wait over the holidays, waiting for the results.”

Facing a mixture of old-style GCSEs and the newly reformed exams, 60% of the 232 students – the largest group ever to sit the exams at the school – achieved the benchmark of five GCSEs of grade C or above.

Bob Linnegar, the headteacher of Commonweal School, was pleased with their results. He said: “These Commonweal students should be very proud of themselves.

“We are certainly proud of them. It is no small thing to achieve so well during such turbulent times in education.

“The hard work and effort they have shown has paid off and I congratulate them on their success. I would also like to publicly thank everyone who has supported them both in school and at home.”