TEENAGER Alfred Artley staked a claim to be one of the brightest students in the UK after achieving ten top A-Level grades.

The Magdalen College School pupil, from Winchester Road in North Oxford, gained seven A grades - and three distinctions in Advanced Extension Awards (AEAs), so-called A-Level 'add-ons', only taken by the most talented candidates.

The 18-year-old, who will read classics at Merton College, Oxford, said: "I am quite happy - I don't really see it as that much of an achievement.

"I suppose I probably just chose to work a bit harder than others. I really have to attribute my success to my school and the opportunities it has given me, as well as my hard work.

"I would not willingly label myself a boffin, but I suppose others might call me that."

His A-Levels were in Greek, Latin, French, maths, further maths, history and general studies, while his AEAs were in English, Latin and history.

Andrew Halls, his master at Magdalen College School, said: "This is very impressive. It's extremely rare for one pupil to get three AEA distinctions.

"As the debate continues on how to distinguish the excellent from the good school leaver, it is interesting that the best candidates are creating challenges for themselves by taking on more breadth and opting for more stretching papers."

Another eight boys at Magdalen gained five or more A grades. The Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families was yesterday unable to confirm whether Mr Artley's results made him the country's highest achiever - but said last year only 14 students in the UK gained seven grade As.

Another Oxfordshire teenager to earn a place in this elite group was Abingdon School's high-flier Anthony Chan.

He achieved seven A-grade A-Levels, while at The Cherwell School in North Oxford, Polish twins Kinga Lubowiecka and Marcin Lubowiecki both gained four A grades. Fifteen other pupils at the school achieved four or five straight As.

Across the county, provisional results showed an overall pass rate of 98 per cent, down on last year's 99 per cent. Nationally, results increased for the 25th year running. County councillor Michael Waine, cabinet member for schools improvement, said: "Today is about celebrating the achievements of our young people who have worked hard towards their A and AS Levels.

"These results are just provisional, but obviously if there is a dip we should be concerned about we will look into it.

"It would be disappointing if there is a slight drop because there has been a trend of improvement through the years, but we must not forget the marked increase in the number of students achieving higher grades."

A-level results table