WORK experience at an Oxford garage spurred a 16-year-old Oxford Academy student to pass eight GCSEs, IT qualifications and BTECs.

Jack Howard was singled out as the “best work experience student ever” by TJ Hall garage after the Oxford teenager, who lives just off Abingdon Road, completed a placement with the firm.

Yesterday he learned he had scored five C grades and one D in maths, English and science subjects at GCSE along with passes in a BTEC and IT qualification.

He told the Oxford Mail: “I’m really pleased.

“In the long term I want to become a mechanic. Next year I’m going do a motor vehicle technician level one NVQ at college.

“I really enjoyed the work experience – that’s what I want to do.”