Schoolboy maths genius makes history as he faces up to cancer

A schoolboy being treated for cancer has made history for his middle school with exam success.
Evan Rees-Humphreys celebrates his GCSE maths at Gamlingay Village College.Evan Rees-Humphreys celebrates his GCSE maths at Gamlingay Village College.
Evan Rees-Humphreys celebrates his GCSE maths at Gamlingay Village College.

Evan Rees-Humphreys, a year 8 pupil at Gamlingay Village College, is the first student to achieve success at GCSE level, with a grade C in maths.

Evan, 13, is not able to attend school full time because of his treatment for the disease but he is fully committed to achieving all of his educational goals.

He has worked tremendously hard both in hospital and at home with support from the mathematics teachers at Gamlingay Village College. Headteacher James Birkett said: “Evan’s achievement is an inspiration to the whole school. It demonstrates the power of positivity, resilience and achievement in even the most challenging of circumstances.”

Miss Allen and Miss Hankinson, the college’s maths teachers, are exceptionally proud of Evan’s achievement.

They said: “For a year 8 pupil to master Pythagoras’ theorem, algebraic manipulation and tessellations is an extraordinary achievement and Evan deserves many congratulations for all of his hard work.”

Evan’s mum is also delighted with the news and said: “I couldn’t be more proud - to pass a GCSE at 16, with the obvious health issues would be a major achievement, but at 13 is just amazing!”

Evan now has his sights set on higher level maths and Gamlingay Village College, which takes in pupils aged nine to 13, will continue to provide him with personalised tutorials and support to help Evan achieve whichever goals he sets himself.

This mission has been boosted by an additional grant which Gamlingay Village College has applied for on Evan’s behalf. The East and South

Cambridgeshire Improvement Partnership (ESCIP) have granted the school additional funds to ensure that his personalised education can be maintained and extended.

Chair of the ESCIP group Rob Campbell said: “We are delighted to contribute additional resource to GVC to help them expand their excellent work supporting Evan in his academic studies.

“ESCIP are fully committed to ensuring that locally based inclusion work is supported. Evan’s accomplishment and the school’s commitment to providing such a personalised programme is evidence that this approach really makes a difference.”

Evan was typically modest in celebrating his achievement and his first question to Miss Hankinson was: “Right – what are we doing next?”

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