A TEENAGER has no plans to go to study art at university despite getting the highest A-level grade in her school's history.

Jess Wilkins learned her take on portraits won her top marks in her art exam when she collected her results from Little Heath School last Thursday.

But despite the news, the 18-year-old from Tilehurst has no intention of studying the subject at degree level and instead plans to immediately delve into life as an artist.

She said: “When I opened my results I actually cried, but before I kept telling myself not to get my hopes up if I don't get the result I want.

“But seeing it there on the piece of paper was amazing. I'm still in shock – it just feels so surreal.”

She added: “Afterwards I thought about university a bit but I think all I will be doing there is building my portfolio and I think I can just do that by doing different projects around Reading.”

Her mother Catherine, who manages Berkshire Maestros, said she first realised her daughter had a talent for art when her Year 7 teacher Rob Viner “went crazy” over a pineapple drawing the aspiring young student did.

The 44-year-old from said: “He just went crazy over this drawing and she showed me it later that day and I just thought it was amazing.

“She's so unbelievably determined and I'm so proud of her.”

But despite the support of her teacher and family, Mrs Wilkins said the teenager's decision to not go to university has also stemmed from episodes of bullying at school.

Mrs Wilkins said: “School life has been quite difficult for Jess as she's had to overcome several quite nasty instances of bullying along the way but I'm so proud that she kept her eyes on the goal and achieved her dream grade.

“Jess is somewhat put off by education because of these bad experiences and has decided to try and make her own way now rather than opting for the university route.”

She added: “She wants to build up a reputation locally for her artwork and is already achieving so much more than many 18-year-olds.”

While studying for her qualification, Jess has been involved in numerous art projects including making murals for the Maestros' panto projects as well as doing some paintings for Wickes stores in Newbury and Reading, where she also worked part time.