A teenager is celebrating after increasing his GCSE English by three grades. 

Yameen Hasware, 16, originally gained a grade 3 in GCSE English but walked away with a grade 6 when he sat the exam at Blackburn College. 

The former St Wilfrid’s CE Academy pupil, who is studying a BTEC Foundation Diploma in Engineering, said: “I enjoyed studying English Language GCSE at Blackburn College alongside my Level 3 Engineering course. 

“The atmosphere is different compared to school as your main subject is something that you have chosen and are interested in.

"I understand much more now how important English is for my future. When I have been looking at apprenticeship jobs and university courses after my course, they all ask to have a GCSE English Language qualification at grade 4 or higher. 

“I knew that not having GCSE English would hold me back. I gained a 3 in my GCSE English course at school, but I am delighted that after sitting the exam in November 2021 I have gained a grade 6! I didn’t expect this at all.

"Next year I will start the second year of my Level 3 course. I will no longer have to continue with my English classes and can now focus fully on Engineering.”