A PUPIL sitting A-levels at a city school has become its first student to earn a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Lucy Pollock, who is in her final year at The King's School, Worcester, successfully juggled the demands of the national scheme with her crucial AS and A-level coursework.

The award offers young people the opportunity to challenge themselves physically and mentally, learn more about the voluntary sector, and develop personally.

To gain the award, Lucy displayed musical talents, took part in rowing events, helped out at a city nursing home and spent a week working in Paris.

"I was able to manage my time between schoolwork and the award quite well because many of the skills I needed were available through the school," said 18-year-old Lucy, from Great Witley.

"But the scheme was a great experience for me and has really opened my eyes to many things I wouldn't otherwise have seen - especially helping out at a nursing home in Worcester. I met some lovely people and will definitely go back."

Although several former pupils have achieved the award after their A-levels, Lucy is the first to complete it while still attending Kings.

While working towards her gold award, Lucy also reached Grade 8 on the piano, trekked 50 miles through the Lake District, and organised a camping trip in Wales.

After success in her AS-levels last summer, Lucy is planning to study French at Oxford University in September.