A FIRST class student enjoyed the red carpet treatment for being a star pupil.

Former Turton School pupil Ed Webster was a finalist in this year's prestigious British Education Awards (BEA), which took place earlier this month.

He was one of just 76 young people across the country to be shortlisted for the annual awards, which took place a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester, where he mixed with politicians and celebrities.

The BEA celebrates the academic and extracurricular achievements of students in the UK.

Ed, gained top grades in his GCSES ­— six 9s and three 8s.

Head of Sixth Form Kelly Bali said: "Ed has always had an excellent work ethic. He strives to do his best in everything and does it all with kindness. Teachers and peers were continually impressed at GCSE with his willingness to do extra study and go beyond his classroom learning

"He gained an A* in further maths in Year 9 and has gone from strength to strength. He is extremely hardworking a very gifted at philosophy. He has attended philosophy club for two years and still attends now regularly. Although he’s not studying with us at A-level he still is interested in philosophy and theology and studies in his spare time. He was an exceptional linguist gaining 9s in both French and Spanish – something I imagine is quite rare for a non-native speaker. He was open to advice and always sought to improve his work."

The school said he was great support to his peers setting up a Whatsapp group and set up courses for his class to help with learning.

Miss Bali said: "He was the model pupil: focused, determined, hard-working ­— he was helping weaker students with their English revision out of class whist doing his GCSEs.

"A lovely and intelligent young man."

British Education Awards organiser, Amin Chowdhury said: “This year’s BEA Finalists have shown an admirable level of focus and dedication to their studies, invariably balancing demanding timetables of external activities alongside their official curriculum to achieve incredible academic results.

“We are extremely proud to be able to honour them at the third British Education Awards and hope that, as BEA Ambassadors, their example will encourage others to make the most of the education and learning opportunities available here in Britain."