THREE teens from Hexham achieved outstanding success in their A Levels at Dame Allan’s Schools.

Bea Smalley, from Hexham, is heading to the University of Oxford to read History having achieved straight A* grades in English Literature, History and Politics, along with an A* in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which is worth half an A Level.

Bea, 17, said: “I feel so relieved and elated. I’ve worked really hard and I’m so happy. My teachers are fantastic and have inspired me so much, they’ve really taught me how to think critically and pushed me to be the best I can be. I’m so excited to go to Oxford.”

Mia Willings, 18, from Corbridge, earned straight A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, along with an A in her EPQ. Her performance has secured her a place at the University of Sheffield to study Biomedical Sciences.

READ MORE: Tynedale schools report 'best-ever' A Level results day for pupils

“I’m very happy with my results and relieved that I’ve got into my first-choice university,” said Mia, who joined Dame Allan’s Junior School in Year 3. “School has been incredible and it has all paid off.”

Mattie Nevin, from Allendale, also achieved excellent results with A grades in Business, Economics and Maths. His success has secured him a place at Lancaster University, where he will study Economics.

“I was pretty calm this morning; the results were better than I’d expected so I was really happy,” said the 18-year-old.

Will Scott, principal at Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “These exceptional results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of Bea, Mia and Mattie. We are confident that they will continue to achieve great things and wish them well in the future.”

Dame Allan’s Schools celebrated an impressive set of A Level results this year, with a notably high proportion of A* grade achieved.

One in five of all exams taken by Year 13 pupils at the Newcastle-based independent school resulted in the top A* grade, marking the school's strongest-ever performance in non-pandemic years.

Alongside their A Level subjects, more than a fifth of pupils took the EPQ, equivalent to half an A Level, with nearly 40 per cent of pupils achieving an A* grade and 83 per cent achieving a grade A*- B.

Pupils, many of whom balance rigorous academic commitments with various co-curricular activities and sports, achieved a pass rate of 99.7 per cent.

Dame Allan’s School is one of the North East’s oldest independent schools.