HIGH-flying sixth former Mairaid McMahon is getting ready to ponder life, the universe and everything and she has to top class qualifications for the job.

The Thornleigh Salesian College pupil has come among Bolton's highest achievers in this year's A-Level exams with a glittering five grade As.

And the results are even more impressive when you consider the heavyweight nature of the courses she has been studying over the past two years, namely Religious Studies, History, Philosophy, Sociology and General Studies.

A delighted Mairaid of Bradford Park Drive said: "I have always been interested in Sociology and the other subjects fit nicely with it. It was a big surprise when I picked up my results but it was a nice surprise."

And now Mairaid is hoping to capitalise on her flying start by going to Queen's University, Belfast, to study Scholastic Philosophy.

"The subject combines religion with philosophy and looks at questions such as why we are here and the nature of existence," she said. "I will be returning home to Bolton regularly but I also have family in Ireland so it is ideal."

And for the future, one of the career options Mairaid is pondering is a politician.

She said: "I know you don't have to have great A-Levels or a degree to become a politician you just need a lot of people to vote for you, but I'm sure good qualifications help."

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