IT WAS a tale of supreme sporting and academic success at one Bradford school on GCSE Results Day.

Members of the Bradford Grammar School (BGS) rowing team celebrated straight 9s across the board last Thursday.

A grade 9 is the equivalent of a "high" A* and exams watchdog, Ofqual, said anyone who achieves that level has "performed exceptionally".

Tzavier Thornber, of Brighouse, Elise Stanton-Davies, of Huddersfield, James Burke, of Ilkley, and Alasdair Clarke, of Horsforth, each the top grade in all their subjects.

Tzavier, 16, who had taken 12 GCSEs, said he was completely speechless when he saw his results.

He added: "It hasn’t really hit me yet that they’re all 9s.

"I love learning and it’s something I’ve worked really hard towards.”

The 16-year-old said that while the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted the amount of training in the water the rowing team could do, the crew were given materials by their coaches so they could practice and exercise at home.

The rowers have still set their sights firmly on qualifying for Henley.

Tzavier said: “We’ve got our work cut out because we’ve missed time in the water because of Covid, so it’s not going to be easy, but it will be very rewarding, even if we can just get there.”

Elise, 16, who had sat 10 GCSEs and is the rowing team’s cox, said: “I’m really pleased. I thought I would get good grades, but I never imagined they would all be 9s.”

James, 16, who gained 10 GCSEs, said: “I wondered if I would do as well with all the disruption that we’ve had to our learning, so I was really surprised when I got all 9s.

"We’ve had great support from the school.”

Alasdair, 15, who had taken 11 GCSEs and also rows for Bradford Amateur Rowing Club, said: “I was absolutely amazed when I got my results.

"I didn’t expect to do this well so I’m really happy. It’s been a tough year.

"I can remember at one point spending hours and hours in my bedroom with online learning so getting these results feels like the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Dr Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster of BGS, said: “Congratulations to all our rowing team for their outstanding results.

"I’m delighted to see all their hard work has paid off and look forward to welcoming them into the sixth form where their next goal will be Henley.”

Meanwhile, Leah Schlosshan, 16, of Adel, managed to get 11 GCSES - ten grade 11s and one 8 - while juggling dedicating hours of swimming training and representing GB.

The 16-year-old scooped ten GCSEs at grade 9 (equivalent to a "high" A*) and one 8 (A*) last Thursday.

Leah was selected last month to represent GB for her first international competition at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Rome.

She managed to pick up a bronze medal in the 4 x 100m medley relay, swimming the breaststroke leg.

She also participated in the 400m and 200m individual medley, progressing to the semi-final in the latter.

Leah said: “I’m delighted with my results.

"I’m very grateful to BGS and all the teachers, especially Craig Robinson, (BGS specialist swimming coach) for supporting me through this difficult year so that I could achieve my dream to represent GB internationally but also to achieve my goals academically.

"I feel very lucky and privileged.”

Mr Robinson said: "We were able to offer Leah about half of the 20 or more hours that typically make up her training each week, but it was the self-discipline and work that Leah put in behind the scenes that helped her qualify then compete for Team GB this summer.

"Swimming personal best performances in the Girls 4 x 100m Medley Relay after the challenges faced over of the last 18 months was truly remarkable."

The teenager trains nine times a week in the Leeds City Council Swim Training Scheme under her coach Richard Denigan, and competes nationally for the City of Leeds SC.

During the lockdowns, due to the closure of the John Charles Centre for Sport, BGS ensured she could continue her training at school in the school’s swimming pool around lessons, assessments, and other co-curricular commitments.

Dr Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster at BGS, said: “Many congratulations to Leah who has achieved outstanding success in her GCSEs.

"We’re very proud of her.

"It takes real grit and determination to balance academic learning with training at an elite level and Leah has shown she has huge amounts of both qualities.”