A FORMER pupil at a Penarth school has received one of a society's highest accolades for her performance in the International Baccalaureate exams.

Hazel Doran, who used to attend Westbourne School, achieved more than 90 per cent in her Geography exams and The Royal Geographical Society has given her the excellence award as one of the students who achieved the highest marks nationally in the 2016 geography examinations.

Hazel is currently at St Edmund’s Hall at Oxford University studying law.

She received a cash prize and certificate from the society.

The awards recognise and celebrate the hard work and success of the pupils who achieve the highest marks in the GCSE, IGCSE, Certificate in Geography, A-level, International Baccalaureate and Pre-U geography examinations each year.

Students from schools across England, Northern Ireland and Wales are eligible for the awards.

School principal Ken Underhill praised Hazel’s achievements.

"I am delighted to celebrate the success of all our students.

"However, Hazel’s performance in her geography exams is testimony to the support and guidance of her teachers, to her determination to succeed and to the inherent benefits of studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme," he said.

Steve Brace, the society’s head of education and outdoor learning, said: "The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is delighted to recognise the hard work and success of those pupils who achieved the highest marks nationally in the 2016 geography examinations.

"The pupils receiving these awards have all demonstrated their excellent understanding of geography as a subject and how it can inform us about the world we live in.

"Their exceptional marks reflect both their ability as geographers and the high quality teaching that takes place in their schools."