Two top-flight flautists at Wisbech Grammar School have scored a notable success by gaining distinctions at the highest grade in the latest round of the Trinity College London instrumental examinations.

The achievement by Lauren Mounfield, 18, at grade eight comes hard on the heels of attaining a distinction with a near perfect score on the saxophone at the board’s top grade in November.

Besides performing in numerous school based ensembles on the flute and saxophone, Lauren also plays the saxophone with the March-based Alan Norris Big Band and Training Swing Band.

Richeldis France, who is still just 15 years old, has been learning the flute for less than five years. She has already achieved a merit at grade eight on the violin and she has obtained a good pass at grade seven on the piano. As a violinist Richeldis has been playing with the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra and the Ely Sinfonia for two years.

Director of music Gabriel Fitzsimmons said: “Given the intensity of the Lent term, when pupils are focused upon coursework and external exam preparation, to undertake a practical assessment at this level is a particularly demanding challenge.

“For Lauren to follow her earlier success on the saxophone with this achievement on the flute is the outstanding mark of a dedicated and hard-working musician – and for Richeldis to achieve a distinction at grade eight in such a short time frame is exemplary.”