Devon dad-of-three passes GCSEs alongside teenage sister

A 31-year-old father-of-three has said he was “made up” after he passed his first GCSEs – after he sat them alongside his 16-year-old sister.

Courtney Ali, from Torquay, in Devon, said he was a “bright” teenager but did not take his exams at school because his laptop and coursework were stolen.

Encouraged by his partner Cherai, he enrolled at South Devon College and now has a 6 at English and a 3 at Maths.

Mr Ali said a “strong six” in English was “the highlight of the day”.

Mr Ali has been accepted on to an electrical insulation level 2 course, and plans to study psychology at university, so he can pursue his dream career as a life coach.

He said his learning experience had been “fantastic” and added: “I wish I had gone back sooner.”

Mr Ali said he only realised his little sister would be in the same exam hall when he saw her smiling nervously at him.

He gave her a “reassuring nod”, which she later told their mother had given her a “little inspirational kick”.

Mr Ali said he moved schools a lot as a child which affected his mental health, so when his coursework was stolen he “threw in the towel”.

He moved to Spain for six months, before he returned to the UK where he took on a series of jobs which included running his own business.

He now works full-time converting camper vans.

He said he was homeless at one point, but said he always had “unfinished business”.

His advice to any adults thinking of returning to education was “don’t hold back” and to chase their dreams.

“You can either live your life with all those questions… or give those questions in your head some answers and go and do it.”