Two former Year 11 students have been recognised at a special assembly after not missing a day of school for five years.

Despite sports injuries and chest infections dedicated pair Amy Coates and Sam Bothamley made sure they came into school each day and say their good GCSE results last summer were partly down to their attendance levels.

The pair were inspired to not miss a school day after listening to teacher Gerwyn Williams during an assembly in Year 7.

As the years passed by they began a friendly competition with each other to see who could make it to the end of Year 11 with full attendance.

Sam, who is studying at TCA sixth form and hopes to become a PE teacher, said: “I made sure I came in each day, sometimes even when I was not feeling well.

“I gained 10 GCSEs at C grade and above in August and I know that part of this was because I came in for every lesson.”

Amy, who is now at Kings Lynn College doing a teacher training course, made it in each day – even coming into school the day after going to hospital after sustaining an injury during a PE lesson.

She said: “At the end it became a personal challenge and I was determined to do it.

“I will carry on this work ethic into my career as it is something that I am proud of.”

Mr Williams, who presented Amy and Sam with an engraved Parker Pen said: “It is a truly fantastic achievement for these two students to not miss a day off school. They are both extremely dedicated and their good GCSE results reflect their hard work. “With an attitude like this employers will be keen to give them a job.”

Attendance Manager Krystal Humphries said: “Amy and Sam prove that the better a student’s attendance levels the better they perform.

“Student attainment is linked to attendance and poor attendance can lead to lower grades at GCSE.”