A teenager from Blackwood is off to Oxford University after achieving an impressive four A*s at A level. Leo Rawson picked up the very top grades in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry this morning.

Leo said watching celebrity scientist Brian Cox on television sparked his love of physics and propelled him to achieve high. The teenager got 13 A*s in his GCSEs at Blackwood Comprehensive which helped him get a scholarship to fee-paying Cardiff Sixth Form College where he took his A levels this summer.

The teenager said growing up he loved watching educational videos, particularly those featuring Brian Cox and his explorations of the cosmos. He also loves debating and organised a debating taster day back at Blackwood Comprehensive School. Follow our live updates from A Level results day here.

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As he collected his stunning results he said he wants to encourage others to achieve: “We didn’t do debating at my old school," he said. "I organised the debating taster day because I wanted to help other local students from the valleys access the kind of high level skills that I was fortunate to learn at Cardiff Sixth Form College and help them think they are able to achieve great things and obtain a place at a top university. I am hoping that I may be able to do more of them in the future at other local schools.”

Leo attended Oxbridge admissions workshops, worked with a tutor, and did a free summer school program at Oxford to preparing for his entrance tests and interviews. Cardiff Sixth Form College Principal, Tom Arrand said : “Leo aspires to become a scientist, driven by his love for mathematics and physics. His journey from being a top student in his local school to excelling in a competitive environment at Cardiff is a testament to his hard work and adaptability”. Born in Australia, Leo moved to Wales, where his mother is a secondary school teacher and his father a solicitor. Join our WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone