A boy who came early into this world and overcame a number of challenges is preparing to celebrate expected GCSE success this morning.

Ever the early-bird George Broadhurst, who was born premature at 27 weeks, has taken his qualification in statistical maths and core science a year early.

The 16-year-old had to be resuscitated at birth and was diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy, which affects his mobility, balance and coordination.

A few years later George, from Hoo, was found to have sensorineural hearing loss. It means he can’t hear high frequency sounds, making listening to language almost impossible.

Mum Gill Broadhurst said: “From nine months George had to have physiotherapy and occupational therapy, so we concentrated on that.

“I first realised George had hearing problems when he was around three years old. Sometimes it felt like he was ignoring me, so George had an audiology test and the problem snowballed from there.”

It has had a major impact on George’s social development and communication skills. His cerebral palsy makes it difficult to him to speak anyway, but this combined with his hearing loss completely hindered his speech development.

He could not hear full words, and despite being given a hearing aid immediately, he found it difficult to chat with pals because the devices amplified every surrounding noise unselectively.

He became quiet and withdrawn, until an innovative new hearing aid, the Starkey’s Made for Iphone Halo i110, was recommended to him.

Gill added: “The difference they have made is just fantastic. George has been able to integrate so much more which has had a huge effect on his confidence.”

The tech-savvy teen can control the aid using his iPad and it has made schooling and studying much easier at Thames View School in Gravesend.

He now dreams of a career in computers and technology and said: “I have a very inquisitive mind and love to research things and get to know exactly how they work. I am passionate about Formula One, maths, all sciences and technology. My hearing aids have taken me a long way already and will certainly help me achieve things in the future.”

Today is the day teenagers across Medway have been waiting for.

Thousands of pupils will be heading into school to pick up those all-important envelopes containing the grades that could determine their immediate future.

Some will be hoping for good enough results to continue into further education at college or sixth form, while others will be taking up apprentices or joining to job market.

Pick up your copy of the Medway Messenger tomorrow to read about how teenagers in the Towns have done.