MUM was the word for an ‘ecstatic’ exam officer yesterday after finding out her daughter had bagged a dream university course hours before she opened her envelope.

As part of her role, Hilary Martin, of Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow, got a sneak peak of the school’s results hours in advance of the grand unveiling – including her daughter Hannah’s grades.

And the excited mother was forced to keep quiet about Hannah’s success until she presented her with the fateful brown envelope yesterday morning, despite knowing she had been accepted to study toward becoming a vet.

Hilary said: “I knew about it beforehand, of course I have to keep it a secret as it’s professional standards, but I was ecstatic. Hannah has wanted to become a vet since she was young.

“She left home early and was gone by the time I got up for work, I think she was trying to avoid me in the morning!”

Sixth formers at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School achieved its highest ever scores, with 83% of all exams awarded A* - B grades. 

A staggering 52 pupils walked away with straight A grades or better, flying in the face of national figures which show a drop in the number of the very top grades.