2:07pm Thursday 6th August 2009
By Amanda Williams
AN ARMY cadet hopes to go from Risinghurst to Sandhurst after walking away from his training with the equivalent of eight A* grade GCSEs.
Jonathon Taylor, of Stanway Road, Risinghurst, Oxford, was one of 60 Oxfordshire cadets who took part in a passing out ceremony.
The 18-year-old former Cheney School pupil from the Slade Park Detachment, in Marston Road, is thought to be the only cadet in the country to have been handed four qualifications, one in public service, two in music, and one in military studies for which he received top marks for all.
The results were achieved alongside his A-Levels, the results of which he will hear later this month.
The aspiring soldier, who has been a cadet for more than four years, hopes to one day train as an officer at Sandhurst. He was one of six cadets to have been handed the BTEC Awards, which are equivalent to four GCSEs, from the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson.
Michael Devaney, 18, from Headington, who also went to Cheney School, was the only other cadet to have taken public service and music together, and he also obtained first class results.
Michael, who is also hoping to join the forces, said being a cadet was a lot of fun.
He added: “It’s a youth organisation, although I have known I wanted to be in the army since I was about 10. It’s just like a club.”
Also handed qualifications were Sally Turner, 17, from Wheatley, and Joshua Rimington, 17, from Eynsham, who were presented with a BTEC in public service.
Stephanie Pinker, 18 and Melissa Layden, 17, both from Blackbird Leys, were unable to attend the presentation event and will be presented with their BTEC Music certificates at a later date.
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