EIGHT youngsters are destined for the country's top universities as a North Yorkshire state school continues to match top public schools on performance.

Ripon Grammar School topped the county league for A-level results last year and this year eight of its teenagers are heading to Oxbridge.

Edward Ward, Jonathan Pitts, Twm Stone, Flora Holmes, Robbie Aitken, Adam Garner, Phoebe Edwards and Jamie Blyton will all study at either Oxford or Cambridge.

Some are the first in their family to go to an elite university, while others are continuing a family tradition.

Headmaster Martin Pearman, said: “We are delighted, as a state grammar school, to once again have so many students securing Oxbridge places, as well as many more who have been accepted by excellent universities around the country.

“Our staff will continue to support them as we move towards the A-level examinations and encourage students lower down the school to aspire to follow them in the future.”

*The school is hosting a sixth form opening on Monday, January 27 at 6.30pm for any students interested in finding out more. The closing date for applications to the sixth form in September is February 24. For more information, visit ripongrammar.co.uk or call 01765-602647.