Yorkshire’s A* performers

The grade eight musician celebrated with friends at Barnard Castle School yesterday.

Tom, 16, of Hudswell, Richmond, said his inspiration at school has been music teacher Mick Donnelly, a professional saxophonist who backs some of the biggest names in the industry.

“It has been amazing jamming with Mr Donnelly, then turning on the television and there he is backing Lisa Stansfield,” he said.

He was not the only saxophonist hitting the right notes as fellow musician Safia Khan achieved a sweep of 11 A* grades at Hill House School in Doncaster.

Despite the turbulence being reported, students around Yorkshire achieved amazing results.

At Silverdale School in Sheffield Young Chan achieved 13 A*s, as well as an A-level A grade in Mandarin Chinese.

He plans to study medicine at university after his A-levels. He said: “I sort of expected good results, but it was still magical when I opened the envelope.”

At Harrogate Grammar School Sophie Hesketh achieved 12 A* grades and two A grades and Lucy Crocker picked up 10 A* s and an A.

At the independent Wakefield Girls’ High there were 16 girls achieving nine or more A*s. Of these Olivia Jackson, Lydia Burrows and Matilda Crabtree each achieved 11 A*s.

Janet Sheriff, the head teacher of Prince Henry’s Grammar School, in Otley, paid tribute to students. Among the top performers were Lena Jasim who achieved 14 GCSEs at A* or A, Megan Shields whose 12 GCSEs included 11 A*s and Bethany Searle, who got 13 GCSEs with 10 A*s.

At Ripon Grammar School the top performers were Julia Atherley, with 12 A*s and one A, and Donna Castle-Ward and Aimee Rutherford, who each achieved 12 A*s.

Emily Kirwin, from North Cave, achieved 11 A*s at Hymers College in Hull. She said: “I was speechless when I looked at my results. I’m so thrilled.”

Chess player and Grammar School at Leeds pupil Harry Li is celebrating 10 A*s to add to the A* in Mandarin which he got two years ago.

The Horsforth teenager is to represent England in the World Youth Chess Championships in South Africa, next month.