A family from Crosby is making a name for itself in educational circles after the youngest of two daughters has achieved the highest results in GCSE mathematics, two years after her sister achieved the same distinction.

Eleanor Blayney, 16, gained the highest marks at Queen Elizabeth High School in this year’s examinations, following in the footsteps of her sister Lauren who is now studying medicine at Bristol University.

Eleanor is also using her skills in mathematics at A level studying Maths and Further Maths, but she’s undecided about what to do as a career.  “I like mathematics, and it makes sense to study the subject at A level, but I haven’t really decided what I would like to do in the long term future,” she said.

“I’m also studying history and business, but at the moment I’m not sure what I would really like to do, so I’ll leave that decision for a year or two. I’m keeping all my options open.” However, she’s decided she is not considering following her sister, or her parents - Catherine and Michael - who are both in the medical profession.

Eleanor passed all ten of her GCSE exams in the summer, and has won the annual Nationwide International prize for the best results in mathematics.

She received the Nationwide International trophy, presented by Nationwide International’s marketing manager Seamus Byrne.

He said, “This is a difficult prize to win with so many excellent students to compete against, and it’s amazing that two sisters from the same family have now won the Nationwide award.”

This is the 15th year in succession that Nationwide International has sponsored the GCSE mathematics prize at QE2 High School.

Photo - Eleanor Blayney receives her award from Nationwide International marketing manager Seamus Byrne, accompanied by Head of Maths at QE2 Will Wood.