THREE was the magic number at Durham High School for Girls - as three girls each picked up three A* grade A-levels.

Emma Callaghan, Holly Hamilton and Charlotte O’Driscoll all gained the top grade.

Miss O’Driscoll, 18, of Kelloe, who studied biology, chemistry and maths and is off to read medicine at Hull York Medical School, said: “I was really shocked.”

Miss Callaghan, 18, of Durham, gained A*s in biology, chemistry and geography and will study geography at St Andrews University.

She said: “I was a bit surprised, but very happy.”

Overall, 16 per cent of the school’s entries were returned at A* and 41 per cent were A* or A. Nearly a quarter of students achieved all A* or A grades.

Katherine Emmerson-Waugh, 17, of Lanchester, gained A*s in history and English and an A in Latin and will study history at Manchester University.

Grace Hutchison, 18, of Durham, was in a class of one for her ancient Greek course, gaining an A, along with As in Latin and English Literature. She will study classics at Wadham College, Oxford.

Sophie Barron, 18, of Redworth, gained an A* in biology and As in chemistry, maths and Latin and plans to spend a gap year working as a volunteer with children with Down’s Syndrome at Newton Aycliffe’s Pioneering Care Centre before studying medicine, possibly at Durham.

Headmistress Lynne Renwick praised all students and staff for their hard work and said: “We are thrilled by this superb level of achievement.”