AN Indian teenager who only moved to this country in July last year has collected a double batch of exam results from New College.

The 16-year-old had already completed the Indian equivalent of GCSEs when she moved here with her parents and older sister last summer, but wanted to study GCSEs in this country as well as making a start on A-levels.

Parineeta Pai E Souza (ALL CRCT) took GCSEs in English, maths, physics and chemistry gaining A*-C grades, alongside her AS-levels in maths and chemistry and a course in IT.

Her achievement is made all the more impressive because she was studying as a Year 11 pupil at the college which usually only caters for post-16 study.

She said: "When I moved to England I was 15 and had already done my SCC exams in India, the exams that you take when you finish school.

"I looked at going to a local school because I didn't think I was old enough to come to college, but because I'd already done my SCCs it wasn't really appropriate for me to go into a school and start the two year GCSE programme, a lot of which would simply be repeating things I had already covered.

"At New College I could join the pre-16 team, taking core fast track GCSE subjects in just one year and could also be stretched academically by studying for two AS levels at the same time.

"I really enjoy college, all of my teachers are really friendly and helpful and it has a really relaxed atmosphere.

"In India there are normally over 100 students in each class but here there are only about 20 in each class, so we all get a lot more individual help and it makes a real difference."

Pre-16 students can attend New College for a variety of reasons if mainstream school is not for them, and they complete a range of qualifications combining GCSEs with apprenticeships or diplomas.

Parineeta's results were among 500 being picked up yesterday, with many being either resits or evening class results.

New College principal Graham Taylor said: "The 14-18 year old students' results are particularly impressive when you take into account that 59 per cent of our students taking GCSEs are taking Maths or English, many of whom will be trying to improve on a grade that they have previously achieved at school.

"Both of these core subjects improved their A*-C percentage this year and were above the national average."