A teenager has won a national award for his outstanding academic work and top GCSE results after undergoing treatment for blood cancer and other health issues.
Seb Murphy, a Sixth Form student at Bradford Grammar School (BGS), won a Special Achievement Award at the British Education Awards during a glittering black-tie ceremony in Manchester.
Seb, 17, of Guiseley, near Leeds, has faced ongoing health challenges since he was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at just three years old.
Over the course of his academic life, the teenager has missed 18 months of school after undergoing recovery for treatment which has included chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant and spinal fusion surgery.
With the support of the school – and a robot on loan from Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) which beamed lessons to his iPad at home while he was shielding during the COVID pandemic – Seb successfully gained A grade equivalent GCSEs across the board.
Seb is now studying for A Levels in Psychology, Business, History and English Literature at BGS. He said the education awards, which celebrate individuals who have excelled in the academic system, had been an ‘amazing night.’
“I was among so many other inspirational people from all over the UK and it was amazing to listen to all of their stories,” he said. “The award recognised the hurdles I’d gone through to get my grades and I felt very honoured to be there. There were so many politicians at the ceremony and other inspiring people who spoke.
“My health is good at the moment. I’m focusing on improving my lung capacity and being as strong as I can. In the meantime, I’m working hard on my A Levels.”
Helen, Seb’s mum who attended the event with him, added: “We’re all very proud of him. There were lots of amazing young people there with some incredible results and achievements. Many people had health issues they’d had to overcome, and it was great, as a parent, to talk to them and their families. It really gave Seb a boost too.”
Dr Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster at BGS, said: “Seb has shown a huge amount of courage and determination to keep up with his studies in the face of such tough health issues and gruelling treatments. We are very proud of him and he is a credit to both his family and the school.”
“I was among so many other inspirational people from all over the UK and it was amazing to listen to all of their stories.”
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