Orphan FGCS Pupil Thanks Late Gran for Top Grades
An orphan from Forest Gate who lost both his parents before he was seven overcame the death of his inspirational grandmother to score top marks in his GCSEs.
Jack Powell, 16, went to live with Grandmother Gwen and uncle Peter following the death of his father Chris, when he was just three.
Jack says it was Gwen who pushed him to study hard at school but just six months before his first GCSE exam she too sadly died, aged 85.
Today, Jack, discovered he had scored mostly 8 and 9s in his GCSE, which is the equivalent to As and A*s.
This year over half of students scored grades 7-9, the equivalent of A* and A, with grades once again expected to be among the very best in the UK.
Jack said: “She was the central person in my life from the age of three. She was the one who taught me everything I know and pushed me to do well at school.
“I know she will be looking down on me now and she would be so, so proud of what I have achieved. I just wish she was here to share it with me.”
Jack, who lives with his uncle in the same house, plans to study A-level maths, further maths, economics and politics at a local sixth form.
After finishing his exams in June this year, Jack was given a job at the school working in the admin office.
He added: “This school is just an incredible place. They really go above and beyond for you, particularly Simon Elliott, the Executive Headteacher, we have a very close bond.”
Read the full story in the Newham Recorder: