Bradford Grammar School student Venus W is celebrating her GCSE results after a breakthrough season in senior cricket saw her emerge as one of Lancashire’s rising stars.
The 16-year-old leg-spinner achieved a string of grade 7s and 8s, equivalent to As and A*s, in her GCSEs and will remain at BGS Sixth Form, where she plans to study Business, Economics and PE.
Venus said: “I’m so pleased with my results. I was grateful to join BGS with my cricket scholarship and I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them and their constant support. I’m really looking forward to studying my A Levels here.”
Mum, Dilini, added: “I’m really happy for her, and so proud. The school has been amazing throughout her GCSEs, especially with balancing studying with other commitments such as sports.”
Venus’s GCSE success at BGS comes after a remarkable year in cricket. She made her senior professional debut for Lancashire at 16 during the summer and finished the 2026 Vitality Blast as Lancashire Thunder’s leading wicket-taker, taking 15 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 15.26.
During the exam period, Venus was playing county cricket and training at a demanding level.
She said: “During my exams I was playing a lot of cricket, so it was definitely a challenge balancing revision, matches and training. Finding time to revise for my exams was quite challenging, but I tried my best and stayed positive.
“Playing cricket actually helped me switch off from revision for a bit and come back feeling more refreshed.”
Venus’ cricketing talent has been nurtured from an early age by her father, Ajantha “AJ” Weerappuli, a former first-class cricketer for Sri Lanka. Her achievements on the pitch have already earned national recognition. Last year, she was named the winner of the Charlotte Edwards Award, given annually to the most outstanding under-16 schoolgirl cricketer in England.
She was also selected for the England Women’s Under-19 winter training squad after taking 91 wickets for Lancashire during the season, and has since represented England U19 against Australia and Sri Lanka.
As she prepares to start BGS Sixth Form, Venus will continue to play first-team cricket for Lancashire until the end of September before turning her attention to the winter programme and her ambition of being involved in the 2027 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to become a professional cricketer, so that’s the ultimate goal. However, I know that it’s not always that easy, with injuries, selection and life after retirement.
“Continuing my studies is just as important to me. In Sixth Form, I’m excited to study subjects I’m especially interested in and get a sense of independence.”
Dr Simon Hinchliffe, Head at BGS, said: “A huge well done to Venus on her GCSE results after what has been an extraordinary year for her. To achieve these grades while establishing herself in senior cricket for Lancashire and taking on such a demanding playing and training schedule is a fantastic achievement.”
“A huge well done to Venus on her GCSE results after what has been an extraordinary year for her. To achieve these grades while establishing herself in senior cricket for Lancashire and taking on such a demanding playing and training schedule is a fantastic achievement.”