AMONG the standout performers in last month's GCSE results was a Downham teenager who missed one year of school due to a rare form of cancer.


In October 2010 Samveer Parris was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare tumour which affected his spine.


Then aged 14, he took a year out while he underwent an operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 


The Colfe's School pupil was paralysed afterwards and took four months to learn how to walk again.


But rather than repeat a year, the Lee school allowed him to prove his ability in a series of science modules in June last year. He obtained A*s in all three.


He went on to sit his GCSEs this year and now has the results - four A*s and five As.


Samveer said: "The news came through on my mum’s phone and at first I didn’t know why she was jumping up and down with excitement.


"The last two years have all been a bit surreal and I suppose at the beginning, school was the last thing on my mind. 


"I’m so grateful to Colfe’s for supporting me and allowing me to carry on and not go back a year."


Mum Parmjit Parris, 42, said: "Samveer’s father had been diagnosed with a different form of cancer seven years previously and had survived. 


"Samveer was able to say that dad had got through it and so would he.


"Samveer just kept going and even managed to get back to school on crutches, which was difficult, for odd days to see his friends.


"Really he just kept reading every day - newspapers, books and websites."


The teenager, who hopes to one day work in Formula One and recently completed work experience with the McLaren manufacturer, will do A-Levels in maths, further maths, physics, German and design technology.