AN Ilkley teenager is among of ten talented pupils from Bradford Grammar School to achieve 10 A* GCSEs, as the school celebrates a rise in top grades. An impressive 44 per cent of all GCSEs were awarded A*, the best ever and a seven per cent increase on last year’s A*s.

While Isabel Austin, of Ilkley, scored a perfect 10 A* in her exams, another student from Ilkley - talented musician and rower Matthew Parry - was the only pupil to sit 11 GCSEs, achieving an outstanding 9 A*s and 2 As.

Seventy-three per cent of all exams taken were awarded A* or A grades, well over three times higher than the national average of 21.2 per cent. This is an increase of four per cent on 2014, with 31 pupils receiving all A* or A.

Gifted singer and actress Ruby Hendry, of Guiseley, who has starred in both school and local theatre productions, has added 5 A*, 3 A, 2 B grades to her achievements.

Headmaster Kevin Riley said: “I’m delighted to see so many of our pupils achieve so many A* and A grades at GCSE; to do so while continuing to excel outside the classroom is testimony to the outstanding all-round education provided by the school.”

Former pupils of the independent school on Keighley Road, Bradford, include Olympic heroes Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee and artist David Hockney.