An A-level student has overcome dyslexia to achieve the highest exam mark in the country.

Laura Bancroft, who has both dyslexia and dyspraxia, achieved a perfect 100 per cent score in her final six sociology exams - which was unsurpassed in the country The 18-year-old, of Cross Roads, near Keighley, was among the hundreds of A-level students who picked up their exam results at schools across the district yesterday.

The Bingley Grammar School pupil achieved As in sociology, religious studies and general studies and has secured a place at St Hugh's College in Oxford to study English literature.

Laura has had dyslexia and dyspraxia - a disorder which can affect movement, co-ordination and memory - throughout her life. And she has worked as a mentor for other dyslexic pupils on top of her studies at Bingley Grammar.

She said she hoped her success would inspire other dyslexic students, saying: "I think dyslexia gives you originality because you have to approach work in a different way. There is no doubt young people with dyslexia can achieve to the highest level.

"The exam board rang me this morning to tell me how well I had done in sociology. I just felt absolutely amazed. I feel ecstatic.

"But I have worked incredibly hard to get this far. I would like to pay tribute to Neil Smith, the school's head of sociology, who has been fantastic."

Now Laura is setting her sights on the very top and would one day like to become prime minister.

She said: "I really want to do something to help people with dyslexia and help people in general."Her mum Jane attended school to see her daughter collect her remarkable results. She said: "I am immensely proud of everything she has achieved and the way she has overcome many obstacles in her path. I hope that her success can act as an inspiration to dyslexic teenagers."

Bingley Grammar deputy head teacher Andy Goulty said: "We can only applaud the 100 per cent scored by Laura in sociology and wish her all the best at Oxford."

For students across the area the day marked not only academic success but also victories over hardship.

Darren Ackroyd overcame personal tragedy to help South Craven School in Cross Hills to achieve its best ever results. The 18-year-old, of Steeton, lost his mother to cancer this year. Yesterday he found out he had achieved three As and two Cs and is now going on to Thames Valley University to study airline and airport management He said: "I am very pleased. My mother passed away due to terminal cancer which she had for the last four years so I was looking after her.

"I wanted to do well for her but it was difficult to focus on the exams. I feel pleased I was able to manage this."

Inner-city Bradford school students were also celebrating success yesterday.

Almost half of Dixons students achieved A and B grades at A-level.

The school in West Bowling switched from city technology status to become a city academy in September. But Principal Nick Weller said it was business as usual as 47 per cent of its A-level students achieved higher grades.

Ashley Bowles, 18, picked up three As at English language, business and general studies and a C in German.

Aliya Vasylenko, 18, picked up four As in English literature, history, general studies, religious education and a B in German. She has now secured a place at Leeds University to study English literature and philosophy. Pritesh Mistry, of Lidget Green, is planning to become a doctor after achieving the three A grades needed to get him into the Hull York Medical School.

John Gaskin, Education Bradford's managing director, said: "There have been some outstanding individual performances and we want to pass on our congratulations to them. I would also like to congratulate teachers, parents and staff for their hard work helping students achieve their grades."

Councillor Dale Smith, Bradford Council's executive member for children's services, said: "I congratulate pupils on their individual success and the teachers and staff for their work to achieve these results. We are now waiting with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation for the overall results."

e-mail: john.roberts@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

  • See Tuesday's T&A for a 12-page A-level results supplement