BEING schooled at home by his mum has helped this 13-year-old Grimsby boy achieve stunning grades in three GCSEs – more than two years before most of his peers will sit the exams.
Last year Andy Pollock got an A* in his maths International GCSE – a version of the qualification made up entirely of exams with no coursework.
Now he has added an A* in IGCSE biology and an A in IGCSE commerce to his impressive list of qualifications – which also includes a grade A (the highest possible) in AS-level maths.
Andy's amazing results are a vindication of his mum Jane's decision to take him out of mainstream education in January last year.
Only days earlier Jane had taken Andy's older brother Peter, who has learning difficulties, out of secondary school because he was being bullied and making no progress.
She felt it was only fair to give the same opportunity to Andy, who she believed was not being stretched as much as he could have been.
But single mum Jane, 41, a former care worker who has no experience of teaching, admits the move was a daunting one.
"The role did take a little bit of getting used to but we are comfortable with that now. Once we got the first results, that gave us the confidence that I was taking them in the right direction."
Andy is now busy studying for his chemistry, physics and English IGCSE exams, which he intends to sit this summer, and his A2 maths exams, which will give him the full A-level.
He is hoping to go to Franklin College to study the three sciences at A-level and then go on to Oxbridge.
He said: "I enjoy the sciences and I would like to take them to quite a high level. I would like to be something like a biochemist or a scientist in the Army. I would like to cure cancer or make an environmentally friendly car."
Jane insists Andy's social life has not suffered by being taken out of school.
Andy added: "I go to cadets with a lot of the people I used to go to school with. When I see them I make it sound like I have it easy! But I find it a lot better than when I was at school and I know I'm learning a lot more."
Peter, 15, achieved an A grade in his maths IGCSE last year, and a C in AS maths this year.
The pair's progress is monitored by an educational welfare officer, who carries out an annual visit to their home.
Teaching her sons full-time prevented Jane from returning to paid employment, but although it means money is tight, she has no regrets.
"I don't regret doing it for a second, especially when they are getting the results they are. It is daunting at first but it is do-able. It will take lots of time and it will cost you money, but you only get one chance when it comes to your children's education."
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