THE head boy of Ormiston Rivers Academy has become one of the first students from the school to go on to study medicine.

James Tavner, 18, of Fairway Drive in Burnham, was the star on A-level results day as he celebrated an A* and two As.

His top grades secured him a place at Queen Mary University in London.

The aspiring medic has been dreaming of a career as a doctor since he was in Year 9 and was shocked when he got his first choice place at university.

He said: “I just cannot believe it, I was quite shocked and so nervous.

“I saw on my UCAS Track app before I came that I had got in to university, so I knew I at least had the grades to get in, which was amazing.

“It has been so hard and now I’m past these two years. They have been tough but I’m just really glad it’s all paid off and I got into my first choice university.” James studied maths, physics and chemistry while also receiving an A* in EPQ to confirm his spot at Queen Mary.

He has already accrued an impressive CV completing work experience placements in the urology department in Broomfield Hospital, medical oncology at Barts Hospital in London and GP experience at a number of medical centres.

He has also worked part-time in a pharmacy in Burnham for the past two-and-a-half years.

James feels medicine is about more than just making patients better, and he believes it is an opportunity for him to give back to his community.

He said: “It is always a tricky question why, as I cannot just say it is about science or about wanting to help people as there are so many professions you can do that in.

“It is about the opportunities that are there, it is about the potential you have to make new discoveries. While you can help people, you are giving back to them too.

“I’m a big believer in that and it is why I want to have a career in healthcare.

“I know I want to be a doctor and to put it out in words is difficult, but I just know it’s want I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

James also gave thanks to the ‘absolutely amazing’ academy staff.