A super student has secured a place to read medicine at university despite being diagnosed with a chronic condition during her studies.

Lesza Walke, 19, got a string of top results in her A Levels at Cardinal Newman in Hove after discovering she had Crohn's disease in her first year of studying.

She got A*s in biology and maths, and As in chemistry and further maths at AS Level.

The resilient student had to retake her first year of sixth form after her diagnosis.

She told The Argus: “The main problem was I was really fatigued so I was not able to come into college but I’m mainly better now. I was able to get back into class and get the most out of being in college.”

“I’m really excited to go to university. This is something I have wanted to do for ages.”

Live: Updates from A level results day across Sussex

Newman College saw improvement across the board from its 2024 results.

More than 80 per cent of students have received grades A*- C, while 98 per cent have achieved A*- E grades.

The college has congratulated four students who achieved a full set of A* results - Dylan Russell, Matys Mazzoleni Tebb, Sylvie Jones and Iona Furhmann. 

Ms Claire Jarman, principal of the college, said: "We have to remember that this cohort had an interrupted school experience and have demonstrated tenacity, resilience and effort to overcome these barriers and achieve these results.

"I want to thank them, their families and our amazing and hardworking staff for such fantastic teamwork.

"Some of them have been with us for seven years and others joined the college for a two year Newman journey. We wish all of our students the very best for their next chapters.

"For many of them this will include taking up places at university, while others will be embarking on apprenticeships and others taking routes directly into the world of work. Whatever their next steps, we want them to buckle up, hold tight and enjoy."

Molly Rao, senior assistant headteacher, and Richard Marsh, assistant headteacher, said: “We are absolutely delighted for all of our students, who have gained incredible results in both their A-Levels and BTECs. Huge congratulations to all of our students, we could not be any prouder of them."