GOUROCK teenager Mairead Deeney is celebrating straight A success after making it through an unprecedented school year.

Like hundreds of pupils across Inverclyde the St Columba's High pupil received her results yesterday.

She is among the current cohort of students who faced an extraordinary year as exams were cancelled and schools closed down because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The hard-working fifth year pupil had the chance to put all that behind her when the text alert with her grades arrived from the SQA.

The 16-year-old jumped for joy as she learned she had scored top marks in all five Highers.

Mairead, of Mathie Cresecent, said: "I had hoped for these results and I had tried so hard but I never expected it.

"I am just really excited now.

"I couldn't sleep but my mum made me eat something for breakfast - I was just so nervous.

"I would like to thank my mum and dad for all their support and also my teachers and the school as well.

"They have been so good and help in whatever way they can."

Mairead was awarded top marks for English, maths, chemistry, human biology and physics.

She and her classmates are the first ever students to have had their exams cancelled, after the pandemic sent the country into lockdown.

Instead they were forced to continue learning at home and relied on criteria set down by the SQA to determine their grades.

The fifth year pupil added: "It was definitely tough and not the same.

"I can't wait to get back to school next week.

"I've missed it so much."

Mairead has her heart set on studying maths at one of the country's top universities.

She added: "I would really like the chance to work in a top office in a big city when I graduate.

"I also want to go away to study."

Mairead, who has an older sister Erin, 24, and young brother Martin, 15, celebrated along with her friends with a meal in Glasgow.

She plans to take Advanced Highers in chemistry and maths while also studying Higher Spanish and politics.

Her parents Veronica, 55, and John, 54, were over the moon at their daughter's success.

Veronica, who works in a local call centre, added: "We are so proud of her.

"She works so hard and never gives up.

"Mairead is a real go-getter, when she sets her mind to something she just achieves it.

"She has coped well with the home learning, better than me.

"It has been a hard year for them all and huge credit must go to the school and the teachers.

"They are wonderful and so supportive."