Two students from Church High in Jesmond have been congratulated and rewarded for gaining the highest marks in the country in their psychology A levels.

Katy Jacques (left) and Holly Cuthbert (right) celebrate their A level results

Holly Cuthbert, from Gosforth, has been named as one of the winners of this year’s A Level and Scottish Higher Prize. The prize is awarded to students with the best overall mark from each exam body, with Cuthbert winning the award for WJEC. She has begun reading experimental psychology at Queens College, Oxford after she gained an A* and two As in her A level results.

In second place in the WJEC board examinations was Church High student Katy Jacques, who also gained an A* and two As and is now studying psychology at Newcastle University.

Commenting on their achievement, Jacques said: “Holly and I are really good friends and I just can’t believe that we achieved first and second place in the whole country.”

Cuthbert has been rewarded with a British Science Association Bursary to attend the Festival of Science, a copy of the British Psychological Society’s Book of the Year and a free student membership to the Society for one year. She has also been invited to a ceremony where her prize will be presented later in the year.

Cuthbert says: “This year has been one of the best of my life – I still can’t quite believe all I’ve managed to achieve. I am passionate about psychology and to be recognised by the British Psychological Society in this way is such an honour.”

Head teacher Joy Gatenby told JesmondLocal: “We’re all delighted for Holly and Katy. To be recognised by such a prestigious organisation is testament to the hard work and dedication that the girls have put in to their studies during their time at the school and to have the top two candidates in the country from the WJEC board is simply outstanding. We wish both girls many congratulations on their achievements and the very best of luck for the future.”