SIX months before sitting her GCSEs , Lydia Berrows underwent a major operation to correct an 80 degree curve in her spine.

The 16-year-old spent three months off school recovering from the scoliosis operation and now has titanium rods lining her back.

But yesterday, the Wood Green School student, who lives in Witney, was celebrating after receiving five A*s and five As in her GCSEs.

She said: “I cannot really believe it. I am really surprised. It has been a hard year and I did not expect to get this at the end of it.”

Lydia had only been predicted B and C grades in her GCSEs, but she said “something clicked” in her after the operation.

She said: “When you go through something like that you have to grow up quickly and face the hard stuff in life.

“I thought if I could get through the operation I could prove myself elsewhere. I surprise myself all the time now.”

Lydia now plans to stay on at Wood Green School’s sixth form to study biology, chemistry, geography and psychology in her A-Levels.

After that she hopes to go on and study science at a top university.

Her mum, Linda Berrows, said: “Going through the operation motivated her. She came back a different person.

“I am over-the-moon with her results. It is absolutely amazing.”