THE pressure on young people in the run up to this year's new style of tougher GCSE exams will have been difficult for the class of 2018.

But for pupil Robert Jackson, there was an added complication which meant he had to attend out-of-hours study sessions to keep on top of his work.

On September 3, 2016, Robert tore a tendon in his left knee while playing for Bolton County Football Club — just as he began studying for his GCSE exams.

The football injury left the Elton High School pupil requiring hospital attention.

Robert, from Ainsworth, had to undergo surgery at the Royal Bolton Hospital two weeks after the accident but spent the next 12-18 months recovering, returning to the hospital for physiotherapy sessions, appointments and check-ups.

His injury also left him on crutches for several weeks.

He said: "I had to have an operation to repair the tendon in my left leg. It took a long time for the wound to heal.

"Right from the start of my GCSEs, I had a lot of catching up to do.

"It was hard getting around school on crutches."

Mum Ruth Jackson said: "He was struggling for 18 months.

Despite the setback, Robert collected a handful of fantastic results, comprising six grade 8s and three grade 7s.

He said: "I'm very happy with the results. I'm really relieved. I'm just very happy and proud of myself."

Robert has trained for Brandlesholme Warriors Junior Football Club in Ramsbottom. He returned to the game for the first time on Wednesday night.

ANOTHER success story in this year's GCSE cohort is that of 16-year-old Alex Symington.

The teenager described himself as someone who was 'disruptive' in classes when he joined St Gabriel's RC High School in Year 7.

Three years on, Alex says he has 'bounced back'. The youngster puts his turnaround down to being given a lead role in the school's production of Sondheim’s cult and complex musical Sweeney Todd in November 2017.

He said: "I had a rough time when I joined school. I found it difficult to settle. I saw staff as preventing me from doing what I wanted. I could not sit still. I was disruptive in classes.

"I had a lead role in Sweeney Todd and that changed everything. Acting is what I want to do. I'd been hiding that since Year 7.

"People did not expect me to be in a lead role or to apply myself academically."

He added: "I realised I wanted to change who I'd become. I felt like I was letting my three older sisters down."

On Thursday, Alex collected his results — a shining grade eight, grade 7, three grade 6s, a 5 and two 4s.

Julie Miller, Key Stage 4 learning mentor, said: "I'm so incredibly proud of him. He's done us all proud."

Alex said: "I'm buzzing. I've passed everything and got an A* in English.

"I'm definitely going to study acting at college."

The St Gabriel's pupil will go on to further study at Holy Cross College.