A PROMISING young goalkeeper, who has been offered a contract to play in the English football league, has kept a clean sheet after netting 10 GCSEs.
St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Billingham, student Sam Naylor, 16, will pull on a shirt for Coventry City’s youth team after securing a two year scholarship with the League 1 side.
Headteacher at St Michael’s, Mr Andrew Ramsey, said: “As well as showing an impressive sporting ability Sam has also now demonstrated his academic talent with an impressive haul of GCSEs.
“Signing for Coventry City is an amazing achievement. The whole academy and Carmel Education Trust is very proud of him and we will continue to watch his career develop with interest.”
Sam, of Billingham, who played for Stockton Town, before moving to Leeds Academy U13s and York Academy U16s, was also selected to play as part of the Great Britain team competing at the 2015 Under 17s FISEC Games, in Malta, for the Catholic Schools Sports Federation.
“I’ve been playing football since I was eight,” said Sam. “Its been a lot of hard work and getting a two year scholarship with Coventry City Football Club is fantastic but it was still important for me to work hard to get my GCSEs.
“Alongside playing football I’ll now be studying for my coaching badges and a BTEC in sport and hopefully I’ll be good enough to get a professional contract at the end of my apprenticeship.”
Other top performers at St Michael’s included Tom Nimmo, 16, of Billingham, who swept the board with an impressive haul of 11A* grades.
Double success was enjoyed by identical twins Christie and Amy Kay, both 16, of Billingham, who secured a total of 14A*s and 6As with Christie taking the top girl spot with 9A*s and 2 As.
Overcoming all the odds Elizabeth Fenby, 16, of Billingham, produced a spectacular set of results.
Despite weeks spent in hospital, being confined to a wheelchair for months and having to undergo physiotherapy and psychology appointments to help deal with her pain, Elizabeth impressed with a total of 7A*s and 3As.
“Elizabeth is a remarkable and determined young woman who has overcome huge obstacles with admirable integrity,” said Headteacher Mr Ramsey.
“Even though she was working on a reduced timetable, due to her numerous hospital appointments, she has really excelled with her GCSE results.
“As well as that Elizabeth has always been huge supporter of St Michael’s and an integral part of school life.”
Leading from the front St Michael’s head boy Ryan Kirby, 16, of Norton and head girl Sarah Brady, 16, of Billingham also excelled with a combined total of 8A*s and 11As.
“I am immensely proud of all of our students and our results improvement of last year has been sustained with 79 per cent A*-C grade passes in English and an outstanding result in Science.
“It is especially pleasing to see that our students have sustained such progress in a year where we have moved into a splendid state-of-the-art academy building which represents a dynamic and positive era for the entire community.
“I am absolutely thrilled that the journey of improvement in St Michael’s Catholic Academy continues to thrive.”