AN England basketball player did not let severe dyslexia stand in her way and she achieved top grades at her Barrow school's last A-Level results day.

Emily Duerden, 18, achieved an A* and two As at Chetwynde School. She will now study chemistry at Durham University.

The head girl was one of the stars of the Barrow school's final A-Level group. Headteacher Sian Jeffreys said the cohort of 17 students have produced an excellent set of last A-Level results for Chetwynde.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/ChetwyndeSchool">@ChetwyndeSchool</a> headgirl Emily Duerden A* & 2As off to Durham to study chemistry <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALevels?src=hash">#ALevels</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MailResults?src=hash">#MailResults</a> <a href="https://t.co/JCEW6wrotm">pic.twitter.com/JCEW6wrotm</a></p>— Natalie Chapples (@nchapplesNWEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/nchapplesNWEM/status/898098736445960192">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Emily, of Dalton said: "I feel relieved, I didn't think I was going to get such high grades. I set goals, but you doubt yourself. It's nice to think I've done it. I worked really hard.

"I have quite severe dyslexia. I got diagnosed really early on. I've had more assessments before going to university and everyone I have seen has said the support I have received from my school is exceptional, in being diagnosed so early and being given the support I have been given.

"I have had a wonderful support teacher in Mrs Raine, she has been my reader and scribe, she has been with me through those most stressful times."

The teenager was proud to be headgirl, she said: "It's like a family here. I'm proud of the last Year 13 group, we are close group."

The basketball player, who has represented her country, had to make the difficult decision between sports scholarships and A-Levels at 16, with some of her friends now going onto represent Team GB Under 20s. Emily plans to continue with her basketball at Durham.

Chetwynde headteacher Sian Jeffreys congratulated Emily on achieving A-Level success by overcoming the hurdles she has faced. Ms Jeffreys said: "Emily's attitude has always been 'I'm going to do it,' she is so grateful for everything anyone has done for her. She is multi-talented, she could be the top in her field in art, chemistry and sport."

Jannah Holmes was delighted with her A*, A and C grades and a place to study medicine at Hull York Medical School. The 18-year-old, of Ulverston, who wants to become a GP, said: I feel so relieved, I didn't sleep last night.

"I have wanted to study medicine forever, I'm so pleased.

"I love Chetwynde School, it's a big family."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALevels?src=hash">#ALevels</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChetwyndeSchool">@ChetwyndeSchool</a> Louis Williams BBC & taking a gap year to teach in Spain & Jannah Holmes A*AC & doing medicine @ Hull York <a href="https://t.co/7ZuKKJEpCa">pic.twitter.com/7ZuKKJEpCa</a></p>— Natalie Chapples (@nchapplesNWEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/nchapplesNWEM/status/898100726060244993">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

William Hird, 18, of Barrow, achieved three Bs and is heading to Furness College to study engineering before aiming to do a higher apprentice at BAE Systems. He said: "I'm over the moon".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats William Hird <a href="https://twitter.com/ChetwyndeSchool">@ChetwyndeSchool</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALevels?src=hash">#ALevels</a> 3Bs & off to <a href="https://twitter.com/furness_college">@furness_college</a> to study engineering & then aims to do a higher apprenticeship <a href="https://t.co/mXHUYU93CV">pic.twitter.com/mXHUYU93CV</a></p>— Natalie Chapples (@nchapplesNWEM) <a href="https://twitter.com/nchapplesNWEM/status/898109980133515264">August 17, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Headboy Ashley Allenby has a place at Lancaster University to study accounting with his A and two Bs. Chris Gunson has secured a higher apprenticeship with BAE Systems with two Bs and a C.

Ms Jeffrey said: "This is our last year of A-Level teaching after 30 years of helping young adults attain great results, university places and bright futures. It is a pleasure to see that this year’s cohort have done as well as their predecessors with just under half, 48 per cent, of all grades being an A*, A or B.

"Our students are going on to study subjects as diverse as medicine, mechatronics, sports journalism and criminology and we wish them every success in the challenging world that they will now help to shape."

See Chetwynde School's results list here .