Teen completes GCSEs in five months using his eyes

For many teenagers awaiting their GCSE results on Thursday, sitting their exam papers took place over several weeks - but for one 16-year-old from Cheshire, the whole process took months while they used their eye-gaze to answer the questions.

Patrick, 16, has cerebral palsy and completed his exams over the course of five months using eye-tracking technology.

As a student at The Fallibroome Academy, in Macclesfield, Patrick began filling out exam papers for his seven GCSEs in February and completed them in June.

Ahead of results day Patrick told BBC Breakfast: "My ultimate dream is to work in media and to be the next Claire Balding on wheels."

Patrick said he was inspired after seeing the late Rob Burrow, a rugby league player who had motor neurone disease (MND), appear on an episode of CBeebies Bedtime Stories, narrating the story using a computer to speak.

Patrick, who also uses a computer to speak, was able to complete his exams by using eye-gaze tracking technology.

This uses cameras and infrared light to follow eye movements, allowing users to control devices and select symbols with their eyes alone.

This meant not only did Patrick have to spend more time filling out his papers, but he also answered questions without being able to do separate workings out.

"I did all seven of my GCSEs over a five-month period with my eyes," Patrick said.

"I wasn't able to write my workings out so I had to do them in my head, which was very difficult."

When Patrick completed his exams, he said he was surprised by his teachers and schoolfriends who put on a guard of honour upon his exit from the exam hall.

"When I came out, my teachers and friends did a guard of honour for me," he recalled.

"At first I felt embarrassed they came out just especially for me, but after I appreciated the generosity of everyone."

Patrick said he would now like to study media at A-level and has dreams of working as a TV presenter.

But, as a back-up, the 16-year-old has already gone into business sourcing second-hand cars.

"I've got my own business," Patrick said. "I started researching and sourcing cars for friends and charge a little commission based on the price of the car.

"I just need someone to buy a Ferrari now."

Patrick's mum said his family had been "blown away" by her son's efforts.

"The work beforehand, during and the resilience to spend two hours on a 12-mark question," she said.

"And to then go again the next day and the next day and the next day.

"The monotony of it and the willpower just blows us all away."

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