A-level results: Son praises Camden school’s exams support after father’s cancer diagnosis

A sixth-former who heard the devastating news that his dad had cancer just months before his A-level exams has praised his school’s support during what he described as the most stressful time of his life.

Lucien Romer, 18, who studied at Camden School for Girls’ mixed sixth-form in Camden Town, celebrated winning a place at King’s College London to study geography last Thursday (August 14).

Lucien stopped studying for his exams for nearly two weeks after he was told his 65-year-old father had pancreatic cancer - just three months before his final exams in June.

But he managed to pull himself together in time to achieve an A in geography and two Bs in English literature and French.

“Time was running out and I had to pull it together,” said Lucien, of Lupton Street, Tufnell Park. “I never felt stress like it. I suppose I’m an adult now I’ve experienced that stress.

“I got a lot of support at school. In one of my exams I just couldn’t go on, and they let me go outside for a few minutes and come back in.”

Lucien will take a gap year to have some stress free months before starting university.