A STUDENT is to spend the next year working as a youth pastor after gaining six A grades in his A-levels.

Eighteen-year-old Joel Gill, a student at Canon Slade School, has gained As in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, further maths, general studies, and a B in critical thinking at AS level.

Joel, who lives in Daisy Hill, has decided to defer going to university for a year, so he can work as a youth pastor at his school.

He said: "It was a shock when I read my results. I always hoped I could do my best and do well but when you are coming out of exams, its so hard to tell how you have done."

As youth pastor, Joel will be working with the school's Christian Union, taking assemblies and organising Christian school events.

Joel, who worships at Kings Church in Manchester, hopes to arrange for Christian bands to come and play at the Bradshaw Brow school.

After his gap year, Joel is hoping to gain at place at Cambridge University to study natural sciences.

He said it was too early for him to tell what career he would eventually follow, but he is thinking about becoming a teacher or doing youth work.

In his spare time, Joel runs a youth group in the Prestwich area.

There are a number of other high achievers at the school. Rachael Morris gained five As and is to study natural sciences at Newnham College, Cambridge.

Jillian Hawker gained five As and has been offered a place at Jesus College, Cambridge also to study natural science.

Elizabeth Snape is going to study maths at Oxford after gaining five As. Sam Lingard also gained five As and earned himself place at Bristol university to study maths.

Headteacher Rev Peter Shepherd said: "There are a number of other high achievers and the percentage of top grades is our highest ever.

"All teachers and students have worked very hard to maintain the excellent standards of recent years.

"Almost all subjects had 100 per cent pass rate. Special mention to maths with 22 A grades out of 41 entrants, and Law with nine A grades out of 14 entrants.