A teenager whose parents were told she was unlikely to come out of a coma has defied the odds to achieve commendable GCSE results.
Maltings Academy student Lauren Hambling, 16, of Purcell Road, was mysteriously struck down with septic shock in January and spent two weeks at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.
She spent four days in a medically induced coma, but pulled through despite the dire prognosis by doctors.
Doctors at Broomfield Hospital, who only see between two and four similar cases a year, still do not know what caused her body to go into septic shock, but astonishingly the youngster pulled through.
But despite missing a crucial four weeks of mock exams and preparation earlier in the academic year and with reduced preparation, Lauren was still able to secure two As, two Bs, three Cs and a D grade.
She said: "I am very happy with my results and it has obviously been a very scary year for me. The hospital had said to my Mum that I wouldn't pull through."
"I'll be staying on at Maltings to study sociology, health and social care and psychology."
Overall, Maltings Academy achieved the best GCSE results in its history for the fourth consecutive year with 63 per cent of students gained five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths.
Eighty one percent of students achieved an A* to C grade in English, 19 per cent above the national average. In maths, 72 per cent scored above a C grade, up on the national average by nine per cent.
Principal John Szynal said: "We are delighted with the outstanding GCSE results attained by our students this year, which continues the academy's excellent rising trend in achievement across the curriculum over the last five years.
"These are the best results in the academy's history and are a credit to the students and staff who have worked exceptionally hard.
"We are extremely proud, especially in the current educational climate in which gaining GCSEs is being made more difficult.
"Congratulations to our students and staff."
Other notable high scorers included Thomas McKeown getting five A*s; five As; one B and one Distinction. James Sullivan bagged seven A*s; two As, one C and one Distinction and Reece Ismay netted five A*s; three As; one B; one C and one Distinction.
Another student at New Rickstones Academy did not let being wheelchair-bound and fitted with a tracheotomy prevent her from scoring a distinction in her GCSE dance.
Kayleigh Mansfield, 16, of Cressing Road, Witham, managed seven other GCSE passes in English, maths and religious studies and will be continuing her studies at the academy.
The youngster said: "I am extremely happy, I was very nervous before my results. Afterwards, I was very surprised.
"I will be staying at the academy and want to help out at a hospital in the future."
An academy spokesman said: "Kayleigh is a very active member of our dance group and has performed in a variety of our shows, most notably in our World War I performance."
"New Rickstones currently has 40 per cent A* to C including English and maths, but is working with exam boards to address anomalies in certain results achieved.
"The academy expects the outcomes of the appeals to have a significant impact on their five A* to C with English and Maths."
Head teacher Trenica King, said: "Against a difficult national picture of volatility in outcomes, we are proud of our students' achievements, which are a result of their hard work and determination, together with the support they received from their parents and staff."
Other high achievers at the academy include Joshua Coote, scoring five As seven Bs and one C. "I am very pleased, I was confident but my results exceeded what I thought I would get!
"Next for me is Colchester Sixth Form, where I'll be doing maths, accounting, business studies and English. After that, I would like to go to university or straight into accounting."
Joshua Faires, an aspiring doctor,said: "I am really happy with my grades, especially my A in maths and A* in PE. I am going on to do biology, chemistry, pre-chemical, PE and English literature at Colchester Sixth Form.
"Long term I want to go into medicine, particularly intensive care"
Abigail Griffin, who bagged three As, four Bs and three Cs said: "I am definitely happy with what I got.
"I am surprised, but in a good way! I'll be staying on at New Rickstones to do maths, business studies, IT, personal business finance."
