Pupils at Swindon Academy are celebrating as not only did they get their GCSE results, but they were the first to go through the school’s 'grammar stream'.

Principal Ruth Robinson explained that the stream was put in place for highly intelligent and highly-motivated children.

“Pupils who were accepted to Swindon Academy had to complete an entry test to be accepted into the grammar stream, and then they’d be taught at an advanced level."

As part of this they got to work closely with Marlborough College and got to spend some time at Cambridge University to prepare them for what to expect in the future.

“We are extremely proud of all of them for their achievements this year," said Mrs Robinson.

"There was a lot of pressure on them, not just with everything that’s happened but also because this is the first time we’ve run this program.”

Three of the pupils who were part of the grammar stream were particularly nervous as they had been offered scholarships by Marlborough College, providing that they got the GCSE results that they were expecting.

They needn’t have worried as all three were left smiling by the time they had opened their envelopes.

Caroline Powney, 16, was the first to open her envelope and was happy when she realised she had the grades she needed for her scholarship.

“I’ll be going to Marlborough College and hopefully I will go on to become a journalist,” she said.

Amberly Pereira, 16, also won the scholarship to Marlborough College after getting the grades that she needed.

“To begin with, when I first entered the grammar stream my mum was more excited about it than I was.

"But as I went along I realised how much of an opportunity it was. I’d love to have a career in aerospace engineering.

Louie Wilkins, 16, has aspirations to become a surgeon and is now well on his way after getting the grades he needed.

“The stream offered the chance to go that extra distance and now Marlborough College offers a different sort of education.”