A BOLTON student has been praised after attaining one of the country's top five marks for this year's GCSE Office Application exam. Sobayha Valli, pictured, former head girl at Bolton Muslim Girls School in Swan Lane, Bolton, was congratulated by the exam body.

Kathleen Tattersall, director general of the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, wrote to Sobayha and congratulated her and the school for the achievement. Sobayha is now studying for her A-Levels at Bolton School.

Bolton Muslim Girls School headteacher Idrish Patel said: "Sobayha is an excellent student and she deserved the commendation from the board. We wish her luck in the future."