FELICIDADES to Emma Hinde on gaining a place to study languages at one of the world’s elite universities.

Emma achieved incredible A-level results – A*s in Spanish, English Literature, Psychology and Welsh Baccalaureate – and will attend Oxford University from September.

The 18 year-old, from Wrexham, is to take Spanish and German and looks forward to getting started.

Her natural flair for languages became apparent as a pupil at St Joseph’s High School, which in tandem with a love for travel led her in this direction.

“My family and I visited Oxford for an open day last year and were blown away by how incredible it was; I never really believed I would ever receive an offer,” said Emma.

Parents Lesley and Mike, and sister Jenny, were all “thrilled” for Emma, as are staff at Coleg Cambria Yale.

As part of the Seren Network – a Welsh Government initiative designed to support Wales’ brightest sixth form learners to meet their academic potential and gain places at the UK’s top universities – she had access to extra support and guidance when applying, which proved invaluable.

Emma added: “With the help of the college and my lecturers and language tutors I have managed to progress and get to this point, which is brilliant – I’m delighted.”

Simon Woodward, Assistant Principal and Head of Yale Sixth Form, congratulated Emma on the achievement.

“We are all thrilled for Emma, she is hard-working student who deserves every success as she moves on to university,” he said.

“We hope this will inspire other learners to explore languages as an option as they do open so many doors, and that students will target the very best universities and reach their potential.

“For a young student from Wrexham to be studying at Oxford shows it is possible for others out there to follow in her footsteps.

“We will do all we can to continue raising aspirations and help them to realise their dreams.”