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A high achieving young woman from South Wales received full marks in A Level Law in the last academic year, the highest score across the whole of England and Wales.

Now, Shannon Britton, 19, from Ferndale, is about to complete her first term at Oxford University where she is studying English Literature, with her sights set on becoming a novelist.

Shannon, who studied A Level Law, English Literature and History at Coleg y Cymoedd, and achieved A*, A*, A respectively, has now been told her overall mark in Law was, in fact, the highest across England and Wales. However, Shannon’s remarkable achievements do not end there, she studied all three A Level subjects, AS and A Level combined, in only one year.

Originally setting her sights on a music production career, Shannon signed up for a BTEC vocational course at Coleg y Cymoedd, with an English AS Level alongside. However, while studying on the English course, Shannon’s academic potential was recognised by her tutor, Sonia Lowe, who urged her to take on further A Levels, under the college’s fast-track scheme.

Shannon said: “When I opened my A Level results, I was so concerned about the actual mark which would get me into Oxford, I didn’t look at my score. It was only when Ian Rees, who is Strategic Alliance Manager at the college, told me to look at my overall score that I realised I had achieved 100 per cent!

“My tutors’ support and guidance encouraged me to apply for Oxford, and although it is a lot of work, I am really enjoying university life.”

Recognising her outstanding achievements, Shannon has been invited to an A Level Awards ceremony, hosted by WJEC, the leading Welsh examination board. The event, which is taking place in Cardiff on 18th December, celebrates the highest achievers in Wales of the last academic year.

Commenting on Shannon’s success, Judith Evans, principal of Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “Shannon is a shining example of the young potential that exists in Rhondda Cynon Taff. Achieving the highest marks in A Level Law demonstrates Shannon’s hard work and commitment to her studies. She really encapsulates the college’s ethos and mission to strengthen the valleys through excellent education, skills and training.

“We continue to wish Shannon every success in her future at Oxford, and call upon all learners to use her inspiring story as the catalyst to pursue and achieve their own goals through education.”

Shannon was among the first learners to sit A Level exams at Coleg y Cymoedd’s dedicated A Level centre; part of the new £40 million Nantgarw campus which opened in September 2012.

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