(L-R): Annabelle Clark, Lillie Quinlivan Coulson and Lucy Dodd (Credit – Crest Photography)

After months of diligently balancing their GCSE studies with elite sport commitments, talented schoolgirls Lucy, Lillie and Annabelle today celebrated an outstanding collection of results with 15 top grade 9s between them. 

The three teenagers, who all attend Dame Allan’s Schools, in Fenham, Newcastle, have each juggled their coursework, studies and exams with up to 20 hours of intense training every week, while competing at a national level in their given sport.

Northumberland’s top junior badminton player and national champion Lucy Dodd, from Ponteland, won two U17 international tournaments and the National U17 Mixed Doubles while in her final GCSE year. She also won a Badminton England senior Gold tournament and was awarded a Rising Star Award by Sport Newcastle. 

Lucy achieved an outstanding set of eight GCSE grade 9s and one grade 8.

“I’m really happy with my results,” said Lucy, who earlier this month competed for the England National team in women’s and mixed doubles at the European U17 Championships. “I’m looking forward to coming back to the Sixth Form at Dame Allan’s and focusing on A Levels, in view of then going to a university and continuing with high-level sport.” 

During her GCSEs, gifted football player Lillie Quinlivan Coulson, from Wylam, completed a successful season with Sunderland RTC – historically one of the best Tier 1 FA Regional Talent Clubs in the country – with her squad winning the FA National Plate. 

The 16-year-old has signed a contract with Durham FC to play with its U21 Pro Game Academy and with Durham Cestria, which competes in the FA Women’s National League, Northern Division One. 

She collected a set of GCSE grades 6 – 9 and achieved an impressive grade 8 in five of her subject choices. Lillie wants to study Business, Economics and PE at A Level.   

She said: “At times it has been tough giving 100% to my studies while remaining fully committed to my football, but I always put every effort into doing my very best at both. I’m really pleased with my GCSE results and I’m enjoying a slight break over the summer before shifting my focus to balance my football with A Levels!”

World-ranking Irish dancing star Annabelle Clark continued to train and compete in the run up to her GCSE examinations. In April, she travelled to Montreal, in Canada, to compete in the u16 céilí group category at the CLRG World Irish Dancing Championships and placed second overall.

Four weeks later Annabelle sat her GCSEs and today celebrated an impressive set of grades 7 – 9, achieving top grade 9s in six subjects. She plans to take Chemistry, Biology and History at A Level. 

“It was a struggle balancing both schoolwork and my dancing commitments, two things I regard as important in my life. Today, I’m delighted to have discovered that my GCSEs also went well,” said 16-year-old Annabelle, from Gosforth, who started Irish dancing at the age of six. 

Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “Lucy, Lillie and Annabelle have all worked incredibly hard for their grades while still giving a firm commitment to their chosen sports. These three talented pupils should feel very proud of their achievements this year and Dame Allan’s Schools will continue to support them as they go on to balance their intense training with A Level studies.”