A brain-box from a Newham school was breathing a sigh of relief today after earning her place at a prestigious boarding college.

Newham Recorder: Head girl, Samiya Malik, with her results sheetHead girl, Samiya Malik, with her results sheet (Image: Archant)

Ola Adeyemi, 16, from Sarah Bonnell school walked away with nine A*s, three As and one B in her GCSEs and will be packing her bags for Cheltenham Ladies’ College this September.

Ola, of Linton Road, Barking, is planning on studying a mere six subjects with an International Baccalaureate, a feat she says she “wasn’t expecting.”

She added: “I’m so excited, I’ve had my heart set on Cheltenham Ladies’ College for five years.

“I was nervous and I felt like I’d done so badly but seeing my results I know I can do it now so I’m just eager to get there.”

There were also smiles for head girl, Samiya Malik, who got seven A*s and four As.

Samiya, of Shirley Road, Stratford said: “Being head girl took up a lot of my time and when I was interviewing for it they made sure I could balance my workload.

“I knew it would be hectic. To get all my work done as well I was pulling all-nighters and working all weekend.

“I was surprised with my results because I expected fewer A*s.”

Headteacher, Sarah Jacobs, congratulated students and staff for their “positive and aspirational attitudes” and explained results were higher this year than last year and the year before.

Read more: GCSE success for Sarah Bonnell girls