INSPIRATIONAL teenage mum Stacey Cox is on top of the world after she gained an amazing 11 GCSEs.

Sixteen-year-old Stacey, from Queensferry, mum to Mckenzie, two, confounded expectations and achieved results which included two As, five Bs and two C grades – despite missing six months of school.

The John Summers High School student has just started sixth form studying sociology, law and history.

She said: “I didn’t want to be a statistic. I wanted to work hard for both of our futures. It was difficult trying to look after him and revise.”

Stacey has just returned from a well-earned holiday in Cyprus with boyfriend, and Mckenzie’s dad George Williams, of Upton, who secured results including one A, three Bs and four C grades.

He is now set to start a two-year IT apprenticeship at Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Proud parents, Jane, 35, and Steven, 38, provide her with support as well as looking after her six siblings including Steven, two.

Steven has just had a tracheotomy fitted after seven weeks on a life-support machine after suffering chronic lung failure.

Jane said: “Stacey has worked extremely hard over the last couple of years. It’s been pretty much constant work and she is always studying.

“What happened to Steven took its toll as well.

“We looked after Mckenzie when she was at school and we’ve tried to give her as much support as we can. Stacey took extra classes after school and it is great that it has paid off.”

Stacey won the school’s Governors Award for Academic Achievement in May.
She said: “I’d like to say to other people in my position, it can be done. I do not think having a baby is an excuse to stop education, it is a reason to go back and get a good job.

“I do not feel like this is over, I still get up at 5.30am. I still have years to go before I am qualified.

“I’d like to thank my true friends and everyone who supported me. A lot of people talk about you behind your back and said I wouldn’t go back. I wanted to prove them wrong.”

Deputy headteacher Paula Stanford paid tribute to Stacey’s hard work and determination.

She said: “Stacey has never made excuses. He attendance has been brilliant. She is an inspiration. We are very proud.”

Stacey isn’t the only member of the Cox family celebrating exam success with sister Amber, 18, achieving two As and a B grade in her A-levels.

Amber is now going to the University of Manchester to study classics.