Selsey GCSE girl makes a clean sweep

Soraya Williams (pictured), who attended Portsmouth High School, achieved eight A*s and two As.

Her grades were in Spanish, IT, drama, music, mathematics, history, science and English, with her science and mathematics results being awarded as International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

Soraya's mother Pat Williams said: 'They're brilliant results, she always works very hard.

'She always manages to get what she deserves because she puts so much effort in.'

Soraya, who joined Portsmouth High School from Oakwood School in Chichester, is also planning to dispute one of her A grades, because she was just one mark away from attaining an A*.

Away from school Soraya is equally active, involving herself in the UK Youth Parliament, volunteering at St Wilfrid's Hospice and playing the harp. She performed at a charity event last year held in Sir Patrick Moore's garden.

Headmistress at Portsmouth High School Jenny Clough said: 'We are delighted with the results the girls have achieved, with more than a quarter of the year group gaining A* or A in all their subjects, and five girls achieving straight A*s in all of their ten subjects.

'These include IGCSE Mathematics and IGCSE Science, which are widely regarded as more rigorous courses.'

Soraya is continuing at Portsmouth High School studying for her A-levels.