A COURAGEOUS student who has battled with a lifelong disability is celebrating after securing top exam results.
Tom Rogers, 18, from Northallerton College, achieved two A*s and two A grades in applied ICT double award, English and Psychology despite being confined to a wheelchair with mobility limiting cerebral palsy.
Tom who requires full time care is now set to take up a place at Northumbria University to study psychology.
“I am absolutely elated with my results,” said Tom, of Northallerton who hopes to become a forensic psychologist.
“Because I lack certain practical skills academia is very important to me as it’s an area where I feel I have the most to give.
“I’ve enjoyed a fantastic experience at Northallerton College and am really looking forward to moving on to university.”
Northallerton College principal Mick Hill said: “Tom’s incredible achievement has been down to his hard work, dedication and determination to succeed.
“Obviously as a college we made the required adaptations and support for Tom to be able to access the full curriculum and he has had specialist help from a teaching assistant throughout his four years here.
“However as time has gone we have seen him become more and more confident and independent especially upon entering our sixth form.
“He has achieved an enormous amount and we are all exceptionally proud of what he has overcome.
“Tom can now look forward to starting a new exciting phase of his life, moving away from home for the first time, to study at university.”
Mr Hill also congratulated students Caroline Howarth and Sam Zwolinski, who both secured places at Oxford University.
Northallerton College has seen increasing numbers of its students offered places at both Oxford and Cambridge over the past four years since introducing its after-school Johnson Group, named after the English lexicographer Samuel Johnson, which helps students aspire and prepare for some of the country’s most prestigious universities.
Sam, 18, of Northallerton, who will be studying physics at St Anne’s College, Oxford, said: “As part of the college’s Johnson Group we visited Oxford and I immediately liked the feel of the place and knew that it was somewhere that I would like to study.
“I’m delighted with my results and really glad that they will now enable me to go to St Anne’s, Oxford, which was my first choice university.”
Caroline, 18, of Northallerton, who will be studying earth science at St Anne’s College, Oxford said: “I knew Sam had also applied to Oxford but it was a real surprise to find out that we were both going to the same college.
“I always wanted to go to a top university and am so pleased that with hard work and help from my teachers I’ve been able to achieve the grades to get me there.”
Retiring chair of governors, John Dennis, added: “I have had the pleasure of being involved with Northallerton College since 1979.
“In that time I have seen a lot of students open a lot of envelopes and it is always a joy to see those who succeed and reap the rewards with their hard work and dedication.”
