Student receiving GCSE results says mum, who died days after his final exam, would be ‘absolutely amazed’

Beacon Academy student Billy-Bob Cook said his mum would be “absolutely amazed” by his GCSE results after she passed away just days after he finished his exams.

Lizzie Cook, who sadly died in June at the age of 50, was determined to battle breast cancer long enough to see Billy-Bob finish school and sit his exams.

And husband Graham said she got her wish, “hanging on” to celebrate the end of her son’s GCSEs before passing away five days later.

“Lizzie had always wanted to see him finish school and sit his exams. He finished on the Friday and she passed away on the Wednesday, so it was almost like she had hung on and hung on.”

Graham joined Billy-Bob at Beacon Academy to celebrate “fantastic” GCSE results, which included eight passes at grade 5 or above.

“His results are absolutely fantastic; I can’t believe it. It was the 5 in Maths I wanted so he didn’t have to retake anything, and he’s done it.

“Beacon have been amazing; they gave him extra support in Maths and English and made sure he had all the help he needed.

“I’m really excited about his next steps at college and we’re all looking forward to going on holiday this week to celebrate.”

Billy-Bob said he was “so happy” with his results, adding: “Getting 5s in the really important ones like Maths and English means I don’t have to retake anything before I go to college.

“I did quite a lot of revision every night for the exams and I tried to be at school every day that I could. All that knowledge meant that I was able to know everything I needed to for my exams, which meant I got these grades.”

He is now going to do a foundations year at Grimsby Institute, then would like to study computing. He added: “The school gave me extra support when I needed it, which really helped.”

Despite not being there to help celebrate, Billy-Bob said he was sure mum Lizzie would be “absolutely amazed” by his results.

“I know she’s up there somewhere and I hope she’s listening to them.”

Beacon Academy headteacher Jason Thurley also commented: “We are incredibly proud of Billy-Bob and all of us at Beacon wish him the very best in his next chapter. His great set of GCSE results give him a fantastic platform.”