BRIGHT spark Quinton schoolgirl Xara Davies has been awarded a place at one of the world’s leading independent schools.

Xara, head girl at Four Dwellings Academy, is due to start A Levels at Cheltenham Ladies’ College in September.

The 15 year-old’s entrance test results and interview performance were good enough to secure a fully funded bursary at the college, which charges fees of tens of thousands of pounds a year.

Xara’s overjoyed parents Vanessa and Ken said: “We are extremely proud of our daughter’s wonderful achievement, as are her brothers Mason and Harvey.”

The college’s entrance interviews and exams are known for their intellectual rigour and gaining a bursary or scholarship is exceptionally difficult.

Four Dwellings’ vice principal Ian Trevethick recommended the college to Xara, a winner of the school’s Student of the Year award.

As well as being academic, she also plays the piano and is a member of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham.

Xara, from Dudley, will be studying A Levels in English literature, government and politics, history, maths and further maths.