STAR pupil Megan Baxter achieved 12 A* grades yesterday despite the sudden death of her beloved grandfather the day before a crucial exam.

Will Clarke

STAR pupil Megan Baxter achieved 12 A* grades yesterday despite the sudden death of her beloved grandfather the day before a crucial exam.

The 16-year-old, from Fordham, near Newmarket, has dedicated her spectacular GCSE grades to her 76-year-old grandfather who shared her gift for mathematics.

The student at County Upper School, Bury St Edmunds, said her grandfather Donald Hodnett, who was an accountant during his working life, inspired her to achieve.

Ruth Baxter, Megan's mother, said the family were so proud of what she had achieved despite the sudden death of her father.

“They were very close and his death was very sudden,” said Mrs Baxter. “It was a heart attack and it came as a complete surprise.

“Megan was upset but she was so focussed and we are so proud of her. She worked so hard despite what happened. He would have been so proud of her.”

Mrs Baxter said they immediately called Megan's grandma, Barbara Hodnett, 76, with the news when the results came through yesterday morning.

“She was really pleased and proud - she was like 'wow',” said Megan. “My grandfather and I were very close - he was a massive Barnsley fan and we used to watch a lot of sport together.

“He was also very clever and good at maths - he was an inspiration to me in the exams. His death made more determined to do well in his memory.”

Megan now hopes to continue her English, French, German and chemistry studies at County Upper but she has yet to decide what career to take up.