Dream come true for Clitheroe's Olivia after outstanding A-Level results secures place at Oxford

Olivia O'Neill is all smiles after her hard work paid off and she achieved A* A* A* and a distinction in chemistry, maths, computer science and performing arts from St Christopher's Sixth Form in Accrington.

She is excited to be starting at Oxford and is hoping to pursue a career in either environmental science or forensics, but is open minded to what she may learn whilst doing the course.

The former pupil of Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, who always dreamed of studying at Oxford, was very nervous in the run-up to results day due to the algorithm determining this year's exam results due to COVID-19.

Her proud parents, Chris and Tracey O'Neill, spoke of her impressive journey so far: "Olivia always enjoyed school and every parents evening was a pleasure. The teachers were always complimentary about Olivia, not just academically but in her positive outlook and happy personality.

"Olivia then went on to Ribblesdale, after being unable to get into Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, which suited her personality to a T. She got involved in plenty of extra curricular activities including cheer dance, which she loved.

"We were expecting may be one 9 for her GCSE results, but we were astounded, Olivia too, when she got six nines, two 8s and a 7. This is the first time we realised that Oxbridge was a possibility.

"Due to Olivia's love of sciences and dancing, she chose St Christopher's Sxith Form, in Accrington, for her A-levels. This enabled her to follow her love of chemistry and performing arts. "She loved her time here and they have nurtured her potential and it was at this time she really decided to look at doing pure chemistry at Oxford. Her teachers encouraging and advising her all the way.

"She applied to Oxford and was fortunate enough to be offered an interview at Magdalen College, Oxford, last December. She had to stay for three days and as any pupil who has gone through the Oxbridge interview will tell you, they were tough! So tough Olivia convinced us all that there was no way she had passed. So, you can imagine our elation when she got the offer in January, grades pending which was A* A* A."

Speaking of their delight after discovering Olivia's results, Chris and Tracey added: "It was a very emotional day when Olivia's offer came from Oxford and then we attended the sixth form to get her actual grades of A* A* A* and distinction in PA.

"We have to be the proudest parents around at the moment. Not for us, but because this is Olivia's dream. We are so happy for her and her future. She is such a lovely and kind girl and still has the positive outlook and the passion in life and study to do whatever she sets her heart on."