IN a hugely challenging year for its Year 13 cohort, the independent Giggleswick School says it is immensely proud of what its students have achieved in securing a range of places at top universities, including Oxford, York, Bath and Cardiff.

From medicine, law, languages, music, drama as well as history and geography the courses reflect the values of the school in nurturing talent of all kinds, it says.

Headmaster, Mark Turnbull, said: “We are really pleased for these students and proud of how they have responded over the past six months with the tenacity and adaptability they have shown. "They have been rewarded and proved once more that you are not defined by your grades, but by the person you become.”

Head of school, Joshua Kirkhope-Arkley secured a place at Pembroke College, Oxford University to read French and Arabic, while fellow head of school, Amy Chadwick is progressing to Bath University to study International Management.

Other successes include Marisa Allen who achieved four A stars in maths, physics, Spanish and further maths, and will now be heading to Edinburgh University to study physics, and local pupil Chris Thornton who has secured a place at Bristol University to study medicine.

The school says BTEC options continue to deliver 'excellent results for our students' with this year 100 per cent of its pupils achieving D*D or D*D* (A*/A or A*/A*equivalent) grade. They will be heading to top universities including York and Newcastle.

Anne Coward, Head of Sixth Form said: “I am really impressed with how the students have dealt with the application process and any challenges they have faced.

"Each student has an exciting future ahead and we wish them every success as they embark on the next phase of their training or educational journey.”