The 18-year-old Mortimer Wilson student gained grade As in music, English, and general studies, and a B in drama.

Ben is now heading off for a year out in America where he will be working in a Washington church before taking up a place at Liverpool Hope University to study music.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the results. I've been really inspired by the teaching I've received at Mortimer Wilson, and would quite like to become a music teacher myself."

Headteacher Wendy Sharp praised Ben's "superb achievement", and added: "Ben has been such an asset to us at Mortimer Wilson giving professional-standard performances in shows and concerts."

The Alfreton school achieved an 85 per cent pass rate and saw an improvement of over 25 per cent in its average points school per pupil compared to last year.

Delighted

Mrs Sharp said: "Every Year 13 student has achieved and many have excelled themselves, I'm delighted.

"We are pleased to be sending students both to their chosen university and good job opportunities.

"I give my congratulations to each of them and thank their families and my staff for their excellent support and teaching."

Among the high-scoring students were Charlotte Wootton, who gained 3 As at A-level plus a number of AS qualifications.

And there was praise for Year 12 pupil George Rogers, who achieved 100 per cent in his AS physics.

Results:

J. Berry: IT, GS, Sociol, Psychol; Y. Brentnall: Art and Des, PE, Law; C. Coleman: Chem, Graphics, Maths, Biol, Fu Maths, GS; A. Cooper: Psychol, PE, IT, GS; L. Davidson: Graphics; G Dawes: IT, GS, His, Des and Tech; R. Gee: Eng Lit, IT, Theatre, Chem, GS; N. Moss: Psychol, Sociol, GS, Geog, Law; J. Purcell: Eng Lit, Sociol, Mus, GS, Law; N. Purcell: Sociol, PE, Psychol; S.B. Ramsdale: Mus, GS, Eng Lit, Theatre, Maths.

H. Saxby: Eng Lit, Art and Des, GS; L. Scott: Eng Lit, Sociol, IT, History, GS; L. Shinfield: Eng Lit, PE, GS, Psychol; N. Thompson: Psychol, Sociol, His, GS; G. Tonks: Psychol, Eng Lit, Mus, GS; H. Trenear: Eng Lit, Psychol, GS; K. Warden: Psychol, Art and Des, Graphics, GS; F. Wood: Eng Lit, GS; C. Wootton: Maths, Fu Maths, Biol, Eng Lit, IT, GS.