TWO years of hard work gained Beckfoot Oakbank student Izazul Uddin a place on a history course at the University of Leeds.

But the ecstatic 18-year-old credited his friend Hassan Hussain with playing a key role in ensuring he gained his quartet of A*, A, B and C grade passes.

The pair, who both live in the Lund Park area of Keighley, revised regularly together, particularly with history, and Hassan passed on his skill in exam techniques.

Izazul said: “Hassan was my inspiration to work harder, because he works hard. In year 12 we competed against each other and this year we were revising at the same time.”

Izazul, who gained A-levels in history, sociology, mathematics and physical education, said he was part of an Access to Leeds programme helping youngsters in disadvantaged areas work towards university places.

Hassan exceeded his target grades by gaining A grades in history, sociology and English language/literature, and will be studying history in Lancaster.

Top performer at Beckfoot Oakbank was Bran Oliver, from Lund Park, who gained 2 A* and 2 A passes – incorporating chemistry, physics, biology and maths – and will go on to study Natural Sciences at Durham.

He said: “I couldn’t choose between the sciences, but the versatility of Natural Sciences is good for getting a job.”

Oakworth girl Charlotte Harris’s four A-levels will enable her to follow her older sister to the University of York.

But while Katherine is studying medicine, Charlotte will study history and English after gaining an A* and A in the subjects. She also achieved an A in geography and B in performing arts.

Charlotte’s friend Megan O’Driscoll, also from Oakworth, will head for Scotland after gaining three B and one C grade at A-level.

Her English studies course at the University of Sterling will also include Scottish literature.

She said: “My English teacher went to Stirling and recommended I looked at it. I went to an open day and it’s a lovely part of the world.”

Not all Beckfoot Oakbank students are heading for university, with many choosing the alternative route of apprenticeships meaning they can work full-time while undertaking further study.

One of these was Callum Hey, from the Wheathead Lane area, who passed A-levels in geography, maths and philosophy, and will spend two years with the Skipton Building Society on his way to becoming a financial adviser.

Callum’s friend Nathan Keighley, from Ingrow, began his apprenticeship three weeks ago in digital marketing with Ilkley-based Pendle Sportswear.

Nathan will make heavy use of his A* grade in information technology, which he achieved alongside Cs in geography and sociology.

He has already been helping develop Pendle Sportswear’s new app which enables managers of football and cricket teams to choose the right kit for their players.

Jonny Tanner, from Cross Roads, secure a place at the London School of Economics to study social policy in government, after gaining an A*in English, A in religious studies and B in psychology.

Other high achievers at Beckfoot Oakbank included Will Kaye, who will study Chemical and Energy Engineering at Leeds after gaining 1A* and 2 A grades, and Matthew Cooper, who got 2 A and a Distinction*, and will study Computer Science for Games at Sheffield Hallam.