Teenager with cerebral palsy used eye-gaze technology for GCSEs, now awaits results
A 16-year-old with cerebral palsy sat seven GCSEs over five months using eye-gaze technology, inspired by Rob Burrow, and is awaiting his results.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Patrick, a 16-year-old with cerebral palsy, has completed all seven of his GCSEs using eye-gaze technology, a process that took him five months. He began his exams on 2 February and finished on 5 June, a much longer period than the usual exam season, because he had to work without being able to write down his workings. Instead, he performed calculations in his head, which he described as very difficult.
Patrick, who lives in the West of England and attends Fallow Broome Academy, was inspired by the late Rob Burrow, the rugby league player who used a similar eye-gaze machine to communicate after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Seeing Burrow read a CBeebies Bedtime Story on the BBC changed Patrick's outlook. 'It's like magic,' he said.
His mother and teachers spoke of his resilience and willpower, noting the monotony of spending two hours on a single 12-mark question and then returning to it day after day. When he finished his last exam, his teachers and friends lined up to give him a guard of honour, which he initially found embarrassing but later appreciated.
Patrick, who describes himself as happy, funny, kind, hardworking and resilient, has a dry sense of humour and a range of ambitions. He wants to work in media, ideally as a presenter, and jokes about being 'the next Clare Balding on wheels'. He also runs a small second-hand car business, sourcing vehicles for friends and charging a small commission, and hopes someone will buy a Ferrari from him.
His assistance dog River helps him with daily tasks like taking off socks and opening doors, but could not help with his exams. Patrick's story has reached the family of Rob Burrow; his wife, Lindsay Burrow, sent him a video message, telling him that Rob wanted to inspire people like him and that Patrick is now inspiring others. 'Keep inspiring others. Everyone is so proud of you, Patrick,' she said.
Patrick was given a tour of the BBC studios and is now waiting for his results on Thursday. Whatever happens, his story is one of determination and ambition, and he hopes it will encourage others to believe in what is possible.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| A student completed all seven GCSEs over a five-month period using his eyes. | |
| The student was inspired by Rob Burrow's CBeebies Bedtime Story. | |
| The student's exams started on 2 February and ended on 5 June. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC ONE West report is a warm, human-interest feature that focuses on Patrick's personality, his sense of humour, and his inspiration from Rob Burrow. It highlights his resilience and the practical challenges of taking exams with eye-gaze technology, while also including the personal touch of a video message from Lindsay Burrow. The tone is celebratory and uplifting, with a strong local news angle.
- “I would describe myself as happy, funny, kind, hardworking and resilient, if a little bit cheeky.”
- “It's like magic.”
- “Rob went a long way in raising awareness when he read a story on CBeebies and I'd like to continue to do this.”
Broadcast Timeline
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