A SIXTH-former at Malvern College has achieved the top mark possible in the International Baccalaureate exam.

Sam Brewitt-Taylor, aged 18, who lives with his parents in Malvern, got a maximum 45 points out of 45 in the exam.

Sixth-formers at the college have the option of taking the baccalaureate as an alternative to A'Levels.

Head Hugh Carson described the result as astonishing.

He said: "To put it in context, the Oxbridge entry threshold is about 39 IB points. 39 to 40 is the approximate equivalent of 3 grades A at A levels. 43 and 44 are almost unheard of and Sam has got 45."

Pupils taking the IB exam study six subjects, for each of which they can be awarded a maximum of seven points. A further three bonus points can be won for an extended essay and a theory of knowledge paper.

"This is a brilliant performance by Sam," said John Knee, head of IB at the college. "Last year in the whole world only about 40 IB candidates out of a total of some 48,000 achieved the maximum 45 points."

Another local pupil, Camilla Darlow of Redmarley d'Abitot, got 42 IB points.

Sam Brewitt-Taylor has not yet decided what his plans for university will be.