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Top GCSE grades for boy taught at home
A BRAINY 14-year-old boy has fought back against the odds to get top grades despite not going to school.
David Berrington scored an A in GCSE maths and a B in GCSE chemistry – two years earlier than most.
That success comes despite the youngster suffering from the disability dyspraxia – a movement disorder which can also affect language and thought – and not going to school for two years after he struggled to make progress.
He was also suffering at the hands of bullies, making his life almost intolerable.
The National Union of Teachers states that children belong in school because parents cannot teach up to 13 subjects.
But David's mother, Lisa, 39, of Cambridge Green in Titchfield Common, Fareham, said: 'I'd rather him have As in a few subjects than Ds and Es in 10. I can't see him coping with the amount of work required. He's very bright but he needs extra time.
'We go swimming and do activities with other home-schooled children so he does interact socially. In fact being out of school and not having to conform to his peers has helped him get a sense of self.'
His next challenge is to take on an AS course in higher maths at South Downs College in Waterlooville and this year he will do GCSEs in ICT, and International English and Open University short courses in astronomy and maths.
David is one of about 100 children who are part of FareGos, a home-schooling group of parents established seven years ago who provide mutual support from Gosport and Portsmouth through to Petersfield.
sion.donovan@thenews.co.uk
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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