Profile of an extraordinary student - Liam

Liam, who has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user, joined Bede Sixth Form, Billingham, with low self-belief and limited academic achievement at GCSE. Having settled into the college environment extremely well, Liam’s confidence gradually began to grow.

Despite his personal setbacks, Liam began to develop an obvious determination to succeed and has never allowed his health problems to get in the way of his studies. Liam said of his achievements: “I’m so happy with my results, it’s unbelievable. I have thoroughly enjoyed the college experience and can’t wait to get started at university.” Miriam Stanton, head of sixth form said: “Liam’s achievements have been outstanding.

He has proved to be a model student, never allowing his personal difficulties to stand in the way of his performance. “However, his achievements lie deeper than A-levels; he has also given so much in terms of equality and the value of supporting others and has been a positive influence on everybody at Bede. “He is a well-known and well-liked character at Bede Sixth Form and has earned a lot of respect from his peers, tutors and other staff and student members alike. “He even won the award for the worst student driver in recognition of the speed of his wheelchair propulsion.”