Teenage carer dedicates GCSE success to late dad

A teenage carer has dedicated his GCSE success to his late father who died earlier this year.

Beckett, from Leicestershire, found out on Thursday he had gained nine GCSEs, from grades 6 to 9, and now hopes his results will help him follow the same career path as his dad.

Nick, a paediatric cardiac anaesthetist, suffered from a suspected diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition, with symptoms similar to Parkinson's.

Before his death, Beckett, his mother Tracey and his older sister Tamsin all cared for him as his condition deteriorated.

They helped Nick shave and shower, made sure he ate during the day, and stayed with him alongside Tracey if he woke up confused at night.

"Nick loved being a doctor. He'd be bursting with pride today," Tracey said.

Beckett, a student at Long Field Spencer Academy in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, said his results far exceeded expectations and predictions and he hoped they would set him on course for a medical career.

"My dad was my idol, so I thought if I could be anything like him, that's a positive," the 16-year-old said.

Beckett is one of a number of children who were helped throughout their studies at a carers club at his school.

He said the club helped him go back to school after his father's death in February.

"I wouldn't have wanted to go back to school without the carers group because it's all about confidence," he said.

"They gave that to me.

"Every Tuesday we met up and it was a nice way to break up the week and focus on other things, rather than home or exams and the teachers are supportive and kind."

Tracey said: "Both children went back to school the day after their father passed away, which is a testament to the support they had at school.

"The young carers club has been like one big extended family.

"The one thing they couldn't do was sit the exams for them and that means so much to me as a parent."

Beckett said more schools need to identify and support young carers.

"I think it's very important for schools to know [who are young carers] because it's where you spend arguably most of your time in early life."

Tracey added: "I didn't want to put on the pressure for Beckett. We've been through some sad times but there's not really a second go at it [GCSEs].

"It's been a real team approach. Nick would have been absolutely bursting with pride."

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