A PUPIL who was "written off" by her old school has surpassed all expectations after sitting her GCSE exams at LVS Ascot.

Ella Desmond was told at her previous school that she would not get more than five A* - C grades and no higher than a D in English.

But she has now finished Year 11 with nine A*-C grades and an A in English.

Ella will now be moving into the independent school's Sixth Form to study English literature, history and law.

Her mum Kate said: "Ella had been written off at her old school but LVS Ascot has given her so much confidence to achieve.

"The teachers have been fantastic and so have her peers. I am really proud of her."

Celebrations were also underway for Sophie Douglas, who took the lead role earlier this year in the school's production of Fame and has clinched four A*s, five As and two Bs.

She will be taking A levels in biology, chemistry and maths.

Her mum Joan said: "LVS Ascot has given Sophie the belief to tackle anything and the confidence to try new things and be successful.

"That's what is great about LVS Ascot, the opportunities to excel and experience things are open to all students."

The whole GCSE cohort has done very well to improve on last year's results, with 83 per cent of exam papers achieving A*-C grades (up from 78.9 per cent in 2015).

Whilst nationally the gender gap was reported to have widened yet further, LVS Ascot has successfully almost eradicated the difference with 87.1 per cent of boys achieving 5 A*-C grades including English and maths, compared with the equivalent 87.8 per cent of girls.

More than one in five exam papers (26 per cent) were awarded a grade A or A*.

LVS Ascot principal Christine Cunniffe said: "These results reflect a significant achievement. With a rise in A*-C grades against a sharp dip nationally our students continue to make excellent progress.

"We look forward to them contributing to our highly successful sixth form and continuing their all-through education with LVS Ascot."