Sixteen-year-old Jade Needham of Horncastle is one of seven pupils educated at St Lawrence School in Bowl Alley Lane to earn the qualification.

Jade, who is now studying retail at Boston College, is delighted with her achievement.

"It took many hours," she said. "It was a little bit hard but I got used to it."

Jade studied on the one-year GCSE course offered for the first time by St Lawrence School during the 2007-8 academic year.

Art teacher Vanessa Fuller told the News she was absolutely thrilled with her pupils and the three C grades, two D grades and two E grades awarded.

She said: "They just excelled themselves and they were motivated and passionate about what they were doing.

"Most of them jumped a grade from their predicted grade."

The other pupils awarded a GCSE in art, who come from across Lincolnshire, were Kyle Bowley, Daniel Simpson, twins Amy and Danielle Nadollek, Christina Hart and Alex Harness.

Head teacher Keith Bruzas said he is also thrilled with the GCSE awards and attributes the success not only to the pupils but to his predecessor Derek Smith who retired in June and Mrs Fuller.