A student who overcame dyslexia to pass his GCSE exams is amongst the young people celebrating today.

Despite joining St John’s Catholic School as a rather shy boy in Year 7, over the last five years Jack became a familiar and well-liked figure of the Bishop Auckland school’s community.

He regularly appeared in school productions, performed with the school choir, and threw himself into other extra-curricular activities.

But what Jack is proudest of is the way he has managed his dyslexia, a condition staff say he has approached with characteristic “resilience and confidence.”

He said: “I have always felt strongly supported by the school during my time here. I’ve always been treated as a unique and individual person, not just as a faceless student.”

His humble, quiet, strength of character was recognised both in school and externally, winning Jack the school’s Virtue Award for Self‑Belief, and two Bishop Auckland Town Council awards for Choir and Resilience.

Headteacher Lisa Byron said: “As teachers, we want all our students to succeed and fulfil their potential, no matter what challenges they encounter along the way.

“It’s wonderful to have watched Jack flourish – it’s been our pleasure to support and work with him over the last five years.”