THE future is bright for 18-year-old Hannah White, whose top flight A-level performance has earned her a national award.

Law student Hannah has been awarded a silver medal for humanities from exam board AQA, for the 99 per cent she got when she sat her A-level general studies exam at Joseph Rowntree School in York this summer.

Hannah, of Mill Lane, Wigginton, also got As in English Language, French, History, Sociology and a C in maths and has gone on to read law and French law at Exeter College, Oxford.

She said: "I'd say I worked hard for my A-levels, but then I had to, to get the grades I needed to get on the course I wanted," said Hannah. "When I realised I'd got 99 per cent in my general studies I couldn't believe it."

General studies is designed to test ability across a range of subjects, and although sometimes classed as a "nothing subject", Hannah said it has done her no harm.

"I'm not complaining. It means I get to do the course I wanted - which I am really enjoying - and in my third year I'll get to go to Paris to study for the year."

Hannah's parents, BT manager John, 49, and supply teacher Lorraine, 51, are both very proud of their daughter's achievements and her 15-year-old twin brothers, Jack and Luke, are both at Joseph Rowntree.

Hannah said: "I think Joseph Rowntree is a fantastic school and the teachers there really helped me get the marks I got." Hannah was presented with her medal by Schools Minister Jacqui Smith at a ceremony at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London.

Hannah's former head teacher, Hugh Porter, said: "We're very proud of Hannah's achievement and this silver medal for humanities, she was an excellent student and our highest performing students this year.

"She is very mature for her age and has a natural intelligence."

Updated: 10:56 Friday, December 09, 2005