Jacob scores with a scholarship to Leeds United after excelling at English Martyrs
Talented footballer Jacob Watson is celebrating winning a scholarship with a Premier League club. Jacob achieved 9 GCSE passes while attending English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College, in Hartlepool, He will now go on to study for an A Level in ‘Sport and Excellence’ while training with Leeds United.
The young central defender competes with Leeds in national and regional competitions such as the FA Youth Cup, the Under-18s Premier League, and Northern Premier League. During his time at the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust school, Jacob captained English Martyrs to victory in the English Schools Football Association PlayStation Elite Schools Under-15 National Final in 2024. The final, against The Forest School, was held at The Hawthorns Stadium, home of West Bromwich Albion, and it was the first time a Hartlepool school has lifted the national trophy, with Jacob scoring during a 2-1 win.
He paid tribute to the support he has had from the school, saying: “English Martyrs as a community has always been so welcoming and encouraging, so I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me.” He said winning the national trophy had been a “massive moment”, adding: “All of the lads knew the importance of it and really rose to the occasion. There was a great sense of pride because we weren’t just representing ourselves, but the school and the whole town.
“Getting the scholarship at Leeds United is a huge opportunity because my life has always revolved around football. It’s a chance to continue my development at a Premier League team, while also continuing my studies, and I want to grasp the opportunity with both hands.”
Mark Blackwood, Pastoral Leader at English Martyrs, said: “Jacob is a very talented lad but he’s also incredibly grounded with impeccable manners and shows the utmost respect for everyone. He’s a very calm young man but his leadership skills and passion for the game shine through on the pitch. He plays the game like a 25-year-old and has the world at his feet. He fully deserves to have won a scholarship with a Premier League Club, and it is a fantastic opportunity for him to pursue his dream.”
Leeds United are newly promoted to the Premier League having won The Championship last season.
Christy - Problem-solving passion leads to ten Grade 9s for Christy
Hard work and a love of Maths have added up to phenomenal exam results for a Hartlepool student. Christy Howe, who attends The English Martyrs Catholic School, scored top marks in her GCSE exams with ten Grade 9s – including in her favourite subject.
She said: “I guess I just really like Maths! I love the problem-solving part of the subject. It’s never boring because there’s always a harder question out there to solve." The top-scoring student is moving up to the school’s sixth form college to study – unsurprisingly – Maths and Further Maths, alongside Physics and Chemistry. “It’s been really fun being at English Martyrs and I wanted to stay,” she added. “I’ve liked my teachers, they’ve been very helpful, and I really enjoyed all the extra revision sessions they arranged!”
As well as her studies, Christy also sang in the school choir and played badminton for the school. Proud mum Fiona said: “Christy is just very passionate about anything mathematical – I was an English teacher, so she must get it from her dad! We’re so proud of her. She’s really pleased, and she’s worked incredibly hard for this result.”
Kobi praised as ‘role model’ for balancing exam success with being a karate star
A young athlete has been described as a “role model” by his school for the way he has balanced his studies with international sporting success. Kobi Kung, a pupil at English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College, in Hartlepool, has excelled in his GCSE examinations while also establishing himself as a rising star in karate. Kobi achieved five Grade 9s; five Grade 8s, and one Grade 7.
He studied for his exams while preparing to represent England at the World Karate Championships in Japan this week. Competing against opponents from China, Romania, Canada and Japan, he won bronze medals for both kata and kumite.
Eve Sweeting, Academic Pastoral Lead at English Martyrs, which is part of Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, said: “Kobi has been an exemplary role model, and we are incredibly proud to have him as one of our students. It takes great discipline to find the right balance between being a high achiever academically while also juggling the demands of being an elite athlete. He has played such an active role in school and is the perfect example of what can be achieved if you put your mind to something. He is a success story not just for our school but the whole town of Hartlepool.”
Kobi has also served as a Year 11 prefect and House Captain, supporting younger students, and helping at open evenings, parents’ evenings and sports events. Kobi was quick to acknowledge the support he has had from his school, saying: “They have always been so encouraging and interested in what I’m doing, and good at providing extra support.”
He cited the example of additional revision sessions being arranged after school, enabling him to maintain his tough training schedule for karate competitions. His English teacher, Lisa Hill, also raised £275 towards the cost of his flight to Japan by asking staff members for unwanted Christmas presents and organising a raffle. Kobi started karate at the Hartlepool Wadokai club in 2018 and has progressed to become a 4th kyu. He began attending monthly England team training last year, and travels to Walsall every month for the sessions.
In April last year, he was selected to represent England at the European Championships in Cyprus, going on to win two bronze medals in kumite and kata. In January this year, he was informed he would be representing England in the World Championships. While in Japan, he will also compete in the Japanese National Karate competition. In addition, Kobi has been selected for the prestigious English Karate Federation national squad, comprising the most talented fighters in the country.
He will stay at English Martyrs Sixth Form College to study for A-levels in maths, further maths, computer science, and economics. So far, he hasn’t decided on his career path, but he is committed to continue aiming for the heights in karate. “My dream is to compete at The Olympics one day,” he said.