This is the amazing moment student Sara Saleh found out she had the highest possible grades in her GCSEs after an "overwhelming" year.
The 29-year-old City of Liverpool College student, was "really surprised" to discover she had achieved all 9s on her GCSE science course, after taking a ten year break from education to look after her children.
Speaking of her outstanding achievement the mum-of-two to Jasmine and Fatimah, said: "I did it for my children."
Sara said: "I got all 9s today and I'm really surprised I wasn't expecting it so I'm really relieved that the results have come through.
"Its been a really intense year. Although it has been a simple course the amount of information and the intensity that we've had to go through throughout the year to study for the biology and chemistry has been a lot.
"At some points its been quite overwhelming. It has all been new to me as well because I haven't been in education for a couple of years so to come back and have to face this I thought I was going to really struggle but I'm so glad with the results that came out today and they've just been much better than I thought they would be."
Sara said getting the grades has given her the confidence to apply to an access course, with the aim of going on to study dentistry at the University of Liverpool.
Sara's success story is one of many from across the city today, as students went into school to collect their GCSE results.
Here's our round up of the achievements of the day.
The City of Liverpool College
Another student from the City of Liverpool College who was "really proud" of her results was 19-year-old Ashton Tibbetts.
After a difficult year battling with depression, Ashton said she cried when she found out she'd got a place to do childcare at the college after receiving her results.
She said: "I've struggled a lot with my mental health. It started when I was 12 when my mum and dad got divorced.
"If you're not in the right frame of mind it's difficult to make yourself come into college. I used to skip a lot of English and Maths because I couldn't bare my day.
"I used to go home and cry to my mum because I couldn't physically face getting up and going in and putting a smile on my face."
Despite going through a difficult time, Ashton says she "crawled out of the gutter" and went on to get the grades she needed to secure a place on a childcare course.
She added:"I turned it around because of the support of the college.
"Their mental health support team is amazing and the support of the tutors, they go above and beyond what they have to.
"I'm really proud of what I got and I got onto the course I needed to get on."
Head of Sixth Form at City of Liverpool College, Michelle Bibby said: "The students have done really well. I manage the GCSE resit programme which is a programme for students who haven't necessarily got the grades to move on to a level 3 route or if they were disappointed with their GCSE's or they haven't had any opportunity to take GCSE's before.
"So they have come to the college and achieved excellent grades so we are really pleased for those students.
"It's about working on that mindset for students that they can do it and also building the skills that they potentially haven't developed at school.
"So we have a pre-GCSE programme as well which has really helped our students to develop over a course of two years rather than just one.
"So we always recommend that if students haven't got any GCSE's to do our level one launch pad programme and that builds in the foundations and the skill sets that they need including communication and your soft skills and language skills."
Overall grades at the school included a 97 per cent pass rate for GCSE English, with 50 per cent of students achieving a high grade.
While the pass rate for science was a high 96 per cent and 55 per cent of those were top grades.
Lord Derby Academy
Among the many brilliant achievements at Lord Derby Academy on GCSE results day today was student Victoria Zienkiewicz.
First moving over to the UK just three years ago, Victoria didn't speak any English.
However, since joining the school the 16-year-old has quickly become fluent in English and passed her exams with flying colours.
She went to collect her results with her proud mum Iwona.
Another student at Lord Derby Academy who was particularly "overwhelmed" with her fantastic GCSE results was Megan Hindely.
Struggling with dyslexia from a young age, Megan cried when she received her results, alongside her mum Sarah and dad John, because she was "so happy" with herself.
The 15-year-old said: "I'm so happy, I'm amazed with what I got I never thought I could get what I've achieved. Two Bs, a 6 in maths.
"I was overwhelmed, I cried because I was so happy with myself and dreamed that I would get this and now it's a reality.
"I'm dyslexic, I was diagnosed in year 4 at primary and being let down so many times has pushed me to get what I got today.
"The support I was given was amazing and the effort that they put in staying after school with me to work on my anxiety to understand which I never got previously was just amazing."
Hannah is going on to study for an extended diploma in combined science at college in September.
Pupil Charlie Alexander also celebrated an outstanding set of results this morning, which will be among the highest in the UK.
Achieving seven grade 9s and two grade 8s, Charlie said he was "sometimes lacking in motivation" and thanks staff at Lord Derby Academy for getting him interested in his subjects.
Head teacher at Lord Derby Academy, Victoria Gowan, said: "The performance measures at Lord Derby Academy have increased significantly since 2018.
"Both attainment and achievement results are up and this year reflects the hard work dedication and commitment of the pupils, their parents and the wider school community.
"We're incredibly proud of this and we are determined to keep striving to move this school forward."
Archbishop Blanch
There were a lot of hugs and happy tears at Archbishop Blanch this morning as students arrived eagerly at school to collect their GCSE results.
Head teacher of the school, Claire Madeloso said: "It has been an outstanding year for pupils."
Student Faith Bryant was shocked when she received her set of amazing exam results this morning.
Getting an impressive score of grade 9s in all of her subjects, Faith can be seen on the photo below looking at her results in shock.
Soon turning to her mum and giving her a huge hug, Faith was extremely happy with her achievement.
Her mum Pam Bryant said: "I am so happy for her, she is so dedicated and hardworking."
Many students were seen enrolling at the sixth form after receiving their results, taking the next step towards their future.
Another student Ellie Curran received an impressive set of 6s, 7s and 8s in her exam results.
Playing as a national wheelchair football player in her spare time, Ellie is off to study Law, Business and Sociology in September.
While Lois Milne also has three grade 9s in her set of GCSE fantastic set of GCSE results.
Coming to collect her results with her mum Vicky Milne, Lois was really happy with what she achieved.
Mum Vicky said: "She's done amazing, they're amazing results. Today was her day and we just took it as it come."
King David High School
There were some excellent grades from pupils at King David High School including highs of 8s and 9s.
Libby Ellis was among the high achievers with an impressive total of seven 9s and two grade 8's.
While pupil Lara Stone gained six grade 9's, three grade 8s and a 7.
Overall, 16 students at the school achieved seven or more results in the grade 7-9 bracket.
"I would like to thank the staff for all their efforts and look forward to welcoming so many of our students back into our Sixth Form alongside those who are joining us for the first time.
"There are some wonderful performances throughout our student body with students overcoming significant hardship to surpass their own expectations. Well done.”
The Academy of St Nicholas
There were also lots of smiling faces at The Academy of St Nicholas in Garston as students celebrated some of the school’s strongest ever results.
The number of students achieving a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths rose by 25% and Maths results on their own are the best the school has ever secured.
While there have been successes across all subjects, there was also particular cause for celebration in PE, Art and Spanish, where students made excellent progress and over 70% achieved Grade 4 or above.
Students studying vocational subjects once again performed extremely well across the board in Business Studies, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Music.
Dave Lancaster, Headteacher, said: “There is certainly much for us to celebrate today, but results and data only tell us part of our story. In fact, what we are most proud of is the Personal Best that our students have shown, with so many exceeding their target grades.”
Amongst the smiling faces was Slava Moslem who achieved a Grade 9 in Arabic, Grade 7s in Maths, Chemistry, Physics and ICT along with Grade 6s in English, Biology and Art.
Olivia Hughes gained a Grade 9 in Art, Grade 8 in RE and English Literature and Grade 6s in Maths, Science, History and English Language.
While Asia Abdillahi also celebrated after achieving a Grade 9 in English Literature, a Grade 8 in RE, a Grade 6 in Chemistry and Grade 5s in Maths, Physics and Computer Science.
Among those who performed significantly better than their target grades were: Lucy Melling, Jaime Brown, Shannon Hughes, Mia Edmond, Tai McManaman, Olivia Allen, Abbey Ford, Liam Green, Elizabeth Richardson, Taylor Mackenzie, Roberts Dementjevs, Megan Challoner, Jamie Davies, James Pierce and Liam Price.
Mr Lancaster continued: “We now have an exciting academic year ahead of us.”
“The results are the culmination of a good year at St Nicholas. I am, as always, thankful to the staff, students and their families, we have all worked together with such determination and dedication.
"In addition to our recent successful Ofsted and improving exam results, we also have a growing Year 7 cohort as significantly more primary school children have applied to join us.
"Our Sixth Form results this year were excellent and it is thriving. There is much to look forward to as we continue our journey to be the best we can be and become the school of choice for our community.”
Liverpool Life Sciences UTC
Liverpool Life Sciences UTC have received their best set of GCSE results this morning.
Since opening their doors five years ago the school has specialised in science and health care, with students going on to do careers in areas such as medicine, nursing and midwifery.
Overall the results saw 70% of students achieving a grade four or above in English and Maths and while in all three separate sciences, 99% of students got a 4 or above.
Student Serena Knockaert has taken steps towards a career in medicine after collecting her results this morning.
She achieved grade 7's in English, chemistry and physics, alongside 8's in maths, biology, psychology & Spanish.
Serena will move onto the six form at the school to complete her A Levels in chemistry, biology and psychology.
Pupil Amina Mohamed also hopes to pursue her "dream" of studying medicine.
Amina celebrated with her parents this morning after receiving her results which included five A*s and an A, including maths, biology, chemistry and physics.
Principal Ian Parry, who has just completed his final year as head at the school before he moves on to Meols Cop High School, said: "Congratulations to all of our students and staff this morning.
"It’s another inspiring year at the UTC - students are again going on to some really exciting destinations.
"Our science results will sit alongside some of the best in the country."
St Margaret’s Church of England Academy
It was "a sea of smiles" at St Margaret's Church of England Academy this morning as students waiting their examination results.
The school based in Aigburth, topped national averages with their impressive results, with 57% of pupils achieving at least a ‘strong pass’ in both English and Maths, up from 55% last year and 17% above the national average of 40% in 2018.
Student Josh McNaught had an impressive set of results which included 9's in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Music, Physics and Statistics.
While Matthew Erickson got a 9 in PE, 8's in Maths, Biology and Chemistry and 7's in English, Physics and Religious Studies.
Principal, Stephen Brierley, said: “This set of results is a fantastic achievement by all concerned. I am thrilled that our Year 11 students have matched their Year 13 colleagues in achieving such excellent results.
"Congratulations to all our pupils, and many thanks too to all the teachers and support staff who have helped make these results possible.”
A number of subjects have produced strong results, but Mr Brierley, singled out the Science results as being a particular highlight.
He said: “A large number of students have achieved top grades in Science this year, which is great news.
“But across all our subjects – and across the ability range too – there are stories of St Margaret’s students who have exceeded expectations. We celebrate all our boys’ achievements today – we’re proud of each and every one of you!”
Rainford High
There was lots a happy faces at Rainford High this morning as students collected their GCSE results.
The school has seen increases in a number of areas, with 50% of students achieving 9-5 grades in English and Maths.
27 students also achieved incredible grade 9’s in Maths a number of students making excellent progress across all subjects.
One particular student, Alana Hesketh achieved an amazing nine grade 9's and an A* in Further Maths.
She will go on to study A-Levels in Sciences and Maths, in preparation to possibly study medicine at University.
Her teachers said: "Alana has been a fantastic all-round student who has successfully represented the school at sport.
"Her results make her one of 836 students nationally who has achieved more than 7 grade 9’s."
Principal Ian Young, said: “It has been another good year for GSCE results at Rainford High. Our students have worked very hard in preparation for their exams, and thanks to the right support from our outstanding teaching staff, it is great to see their efforts have paid off.
“Fortunately, we will still see many of our students around as they continue their studies at Rainford Sixth Form, and with places still available, today’s results will help make up the minds of those still unsure.
“No matter what route they take into further education or the world of work, I would like to wish Rainford High's class of 2019 the very best of luck for the future.”
The Academy of St Francis of Assisi
Students and staff at the Academy of St Francis of Assisi also celebrated a fantastic set of GCSE results today.
In recent years, the academy’s results have improved annually and progress for this Year 11 cohort is now in line with the national average.
Poland-born Milena, whose second language is English, achieved Grade 8s and 9s across her subjects.
While head girl at the school - Holly, passed her subjects with a brilliant range of grade 6's and 8's.
Many students will be going on to study A-Level or vocational courses at All Saints Sixth Form College - a collaboration between ASFA and The Academy of St Nicholas, while others will be heading into alternative education, training and work options.
Deputy Headteacher, Georgina Cousineau, said: “A huge well done to our Year 11 students who have collected their GCSE results today. The whole community are so very proud of their achievements.
“Our students told us today that they took pride in seeing how their commitment to their studies over the years has paid off and that they are excited to go on to the next chapter in their lives.
“I would also like to extend my congratulations to the staff at ASFA for their dedication and commitment. They work tirelessly every day to ensure that every student is successful with the aim that they go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.”
Belvedere Academy
It was a great day for students at Belvedere Academy.
Despite pupils arriving with nervous faces it was smiles all round later on as many celebrated their fantastic results with friends, family and teachers.
Overall, pupils achieved higher grades than in previous years with many making huge progress and achieving grades which will enable them to access the full range of courses in September.
The school has been buzzing this morning as pupils confirm subject choices for sixth form and staff welcome external pupils who will be joining us in September.
Principal, Julie Taylor said: "We are so proud of all our pupils and have enjoyed a morning of celebrations.
"They have worked so hard and with the support of our fantastic staff and, of course, of their families at home, they have achieved some great results.
"These young women are definitely set for taking on the world!"
Bellerive FCJ Catholic College
Bellerive Catholic College also saw some amazing GCSE results this morning.
Amongst the many strong performances, was pupil Mia (photographed) who secured a grade 9 in 7 subjects including Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
While students Megan and Jessica achieved grades 7- 9 in eight subjects. The top grades of 7-9 were also achieved by Irine and Emily in 7 of their GCSE subjects.
Headteacher Niamh Howlett welcomed the results and said: "I am very proud of the achievements of all of our pupils and delighted that their hard work and has resulted in these excellent grades.
"These results demonstrate the effectiveness of high quality teaching, excellent pastoral support and good parental engagement.
"Our students have risen to the challenge of these exams, showing great resilience and we look forward to them continuing their studies with us next year."
