GIRLS at Channing School reaped the rewards of two years hard work when they opened their A-level results today. Of the 43 girls who took their exams, 18 achieved A*s and As and two won places at Oxford. Barbara Elliott, headteacher of Channing School, s

GIRLS at Channing School reaped the rewards of two years' hard work when they opened their A-level results today.

Of the 43 girls who took their exams, 18 achieved A*s and As and two won places at Oxford.

Barbara Elliott, headteacher of Channing School, said: "Once again the girls have been rewarded with some excellent results. Despite everything in the press about this year's A-levels, the girls have secured some excellent university places."

Channing's "star" pupil this year was Lucy Linvingston who achieved five A* grades. She plans to read psychology at Durham.

Julia Zeilinger, achieved straight A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Economics. She fulfilled her dream of winning a place to read medicine and will take up her place at Bristol in September.

There was good news for Sophie Green too. The 17-year-old, sat her AS-levels this year and achieved four As and one C in Latin, despite a sickness bug preventing her from taking her Latin literature paper.

She said: "Luckily I'll be able to re-take it next year. I'm really pleased with the rest of my results. It feels almost like an anti-climax today after all the build up.