AN OSWESTRY School learning support assistant is tirelessly revising to sit GCSE physics alongside his pupils – after passing his chemistry exam last year.

Rob Howell passed GCSE chemistry with a grade 5 and reached his goal of gaining more insight into the struggles students face during exam season.

But his journey didn’t end there.

After being challenged to join his students last year and keeping to his promise, another student from the year below asked him to complete the three sciences with their year group.

Mr Howell said: “I told the pupils that if I am successful, I will sit all three sciences, one each year.

OTHER NEWS:

“I passed chemistry so now I will sit GCSE physics, and if I pass again, next on the list is biology.”

The learning assistant has already started revision and is waiting for his pupils to get back from the Easter holidays.

“I have been doing past papers while at home for the past two weeks” he added, “and hopefully we will start doing some sessions this week.”

The GCSE physics paper one is set to take place on Thursday, May 25, and Mr Howell said he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about it.

“I don’t want to say that I am sure how it is going to go,” he continued. “Last year was chemistry but this year is a completely different subject, so I am just really cautiously optimistic.”

The learning assistant is facing a little difficulty with the subject, as he explained it’s been a while since he revised for an exam on that topic.

He said: “In terms of what it is like and the exam conditions, I did it last year so I am a big more accustomed to it.

“But this is a different subject, so I will do my best to pass.”

Mr Howell is extremely grateful to the school, to his peers, the students and headmaster, Peter Middleton, as they have been supporting him through this journey.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Oswestry and the surrounding area? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the ‘Morning Briefing’ and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.

“I am really grateful for the support” he said. “Everyone wants me to succeed and they are helping me to do so as well.”

His promise is extended until next year when he will sit alongside his pupils for one final exam, GCSE biology.

“After next year I am done, I think I will just cut my losses, and be thankful for the insight I have gathered,” Mr Howell added.