Teenager Mollie McAlorum who had such bad anxiety she couldn’t attend lessons is off to start a prestigious apprenticeship after acing her Btech in business studies. She has picked up a distinction * and two distinctions in Btech business studies, equivalent to three As at A-level.

Mollie McAlorum, 18, a former Newport High pupil, said it was only with mental health support she got at school and later at Gwent college that enabled her to get the qualification. She believes the Covid classroom closures added to her anxiety and fear of exams.

When Mollie started of GCSE year 11 in 2022 she got so worried about exams she couldn’t face going in to school and was diagnosed by her GP with anxiety. Newport High got her a one-to-one tutor to work with three days in school so she could carry on, she said. Join our WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

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Getting 11 GCSEs at grades B and C, Mollie went to Coleg Gwent, opting to take a Btech rather then A levels because sitting exams made her so anxious. She said she is grateful for the support and looking forward to starting an apprenticeship with GE Aerospace in Caerphilly in September.

“I got so overwhelmed that I did not want to go to school or socialise when I was 16. I really liked school and had enjoyed it, but exams made me anxious and I couldn’t go in.

“I went to the GP and was diagnosed with anxiety and told the school, who helped. I had counselling and help with the one-to- one tutor in school.

“I was very anxious when I started at Coleg Gwent but they helped me too and there is a room you can go to be in a quiet space and I had a personal tutor who helped me. I think I definitely got the mental health help I needed to help me stay in school and college.

“It was really hard missing school during the Covid pandemic. I was in year nine and missed most of that year of school because of the pandemic. It was weird missing so much school because of the pandemic and may be why I got so anxious in school and about exams.

“We had to work on our own at home during the pandemic closures and there’s only so much you can do on your own. Covid changed education and not being in school and able to see friends was tough.

“In terms of relationships and school I think the pandemic had a lasting effect. We were not as close to people in school as we would be.” But now everything is looking up as Mollie starts her three year apprenticeship with GE at the end of August.