A STAR student who went from the wreckage of an horrific bus crash to sit a GCSE exam is celebrating an A grade for the paper.

Determined to sit her English language exam, Charlotte Crawford called her grandfather to take her and a friend to school – minutes after being involved in crash between two school buses.

The 16-year-old of St Bede’s RC School in Lanchester, County Durham, did her best to “blank out” the accident during the exam and achieved the grade she had aimed for. She was praised by teachers for her resilience and fortitude.

Two drivers and 28 children were taken to hospital after the buses, carrying pupils to Tanfield School and St Bede’s, respectively, crashed near Stanley, County Durham, on June 3.

Charlotte of Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, achieved 3A*, five A’s, three Bs.

“It was all a bit of blur on the day of the accident. It was really stressful and traumatic," she said.

“The crash was really upsetting. I was quite a shock and I panicked, but I was really determined to do the exam and I wanted to get an A.

“I think the adrenalin helped in a way. It was difficult trying concentrate on the actual exam itself, but I just had to do it. I wanted to do well.

“I tried to blank the accident out. It wasn’t until I got home when it sank in and all the emotions kicked in.”

“It was difficult trying concentrate on the actual exam itself, but I just had to do it. I wanted to do well.

Mum Julie Crawford said: “I am extremely proud of her. She has worked really hard and is reaping the rewards.”

Deputy head teacher Alex Lawrance said: “We are incredibly proud of her and all the students. I think the fact that she was so determined is a testimony to the wonderful students we have here.”

Following last week's record-breaking A-level scores, St Bede's is celebrating another “fantastic” set of GCSE results, with 95 per cent of students gaining five or more GCSE passes – 75 per cent achieved five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths.

There were also some outstanding individual performances, with nearly 30 per cent of students achieving five or more A*-A grades and 36 students gaining eight or more A*-A grades.

Head teacher Neville Harrison said:“ We would like to congratulate all our students for their excellent achievements and thank our staff for their ongoing hard work and dedication. We are incredibly proud of them.”

He added: “The bus crash affected our whole community. That two students sat the English exam after the crash was quite amazing. It showed their resilience.”