A STUDENT who finished her exams in hospital before going straight to theatre for an operation celebrated her college results with pride yesterday.
Carmel College student Samantha Adams battled leukaemia for two years and at one point completed an exam at the RVI in Newcastle before having a biopsy on her lungs.
The 18-year-old, of Darlington, celebrated with her mum Linda Grantham after picking up her results – distinction, distinction and a grade C in childcare, health and social care, art and design/photography.
She will now study a degree in psychology and child development at Trinity College, Leeds, with a view to a career working with children, inspired by her own health care.
“I feel really good,” said Samantha, who is in remission from the cancer but cannot be given the official all-clear until she is 21.
“When I was 13 I felt tired, was covered in bruises and kept falling over. A blood test revealed I had no platelets and it was leukaemia. So for two years I had
chemotherapy and at one point remember taking my English literature paper in the RVI before going straight into theatre for a lung biopsy.
“But it has been okay really and the studying has helped take my mind off my illness and influenced what I would like to do in the future – work with children.”
Her mum added: “She was so poorly with pneumonia that we didn’t think she was going to come back at one point. She is everything to me and she has done fantastically well. I don’t think any mum could be prouder.”
Principal Maura Regan said: “I am thrilled for Samantha and her family as she has been through so much yet managed to accomplish some great results. This is a truly remarkable achievement.
“Overall, our outstanding results are testament to the hard work and commitment of students and staff alike.”
Samantha joined students and staff at Carmel College in celebrating another outstanding exam year.
Other notable success were Megan Kay, Amy Shakeshaft and Samantha Downes who joined Carmel Sixth Form from Polam Hall School two years ago to achieve top A-Level results.
Megan (AAAAB) will be going to Leeds University to study French and Spanish, Amy (A*A*AAA) gained a place at Bristol University, to read physiological science and Samantha (A*A*AAA) will attend Sheffield University’s Law and Criminology course.
Jess Collett (A*AA) will pursue a course in English Literature at Warwick University, while James Harris, John Oliver, Lakhdeep Uppal and Andrew Watson all gained three or more A/A* grades in a wide range of subjects from mathematics and the sciences, to textiles, art and photography and humanities subjects in geography, history, and religious studies and also both English language and English literature.
Head of Standards for Carmel Education Trust Dr Janice Gorlach said: “This year, Carmel students recorded an overall pass rate of 100 per cent at A2 with 56 per cent achieving the highest grades of A* to B. The average point score per candidate was 848, a highly significant figure. These results show a year on year outstanding success.”
Director of Sixth Form Tim Madeley added: “Once again, Carmel College has shown just what a special place it is. The students and staff all work so hard and we are extremely proud.”
Carmel students are now able to celebrate their progress to 42 different universities across the country, including many going to one of the prestigious Russell Group Universities.
