A QUEEN Katherine School pupil has achieved her dream of following in her grandmother’s footsteps to study at Cambridge.

Frances Butcher, 17, has won a place to read Geography with her A-Level results of two A*s and two As, and has suitably grand ambitions.

“It is amazing, I just burst into tears when I saw my results,” she said. “I genuinely thought I had done really quite badly.

“My parents just said ‘wow’ and it is a massive relief.

“I am really looking forward to moving down to Cambridge, though it is daunting as it is so far from here.

“I would like to specialise in glaciology and am quite interested in the geography of other planets.”

Frances is one of 16 high-achieving pupils at the school that scooped an impressive 53 A grades between them, including 22 A*s.

Head teacher Stephen Wilkinson said: “We have had another excellent set of results. As ever, students of all abilities and aptitude have added value to their results at GCSE.

“I know other South Lakes schools have done well, giving more evidence to the Federation phrase ‘achieving more together’.

“I congratulate all students and thank their parents and my staff for their untiring hard work and support over the last two years, and I would like to wish each and every student success in their chosen post-sixth form experience.”

Student Helena Shorrock has also amassed an amazing two A*s and two As, and is all set to read History at Edinburgh University.

The 18-year-old, who eventually wants to become a teacher, said she did not have any idea how the results would turn out.

“My mum has been up since 5.30am,” she said. “Now we are all so relieved I think she will probably go back to bed.”

Also celebrating this morning was Jack Warner, 18, who said he was shocked by his A*, two As and a B.

He is now off to Lancaster University to study Business and would like to work his way up to CEO of Apple.

Mr Wilkinson added: “In a year which sees students embarking on higher education course costing around £9,000 a year, there has been greater deliberation and consideration in making choices as to which institutions to attend.

“Approximately 40 per cent of our students are going to universities considered ‘high status’ institutions.

“A number of QKS students are off to new geographical areas, although a number are remaining in the Cumbria and Lancaster environs to save on costs.”