TWO Oxford teenagers are among the first in the country to earn GCSE equivalents by doing a fortnight’s work experience at McDonald’s.

St Gregory the Great pupils Jamie Gilbride and Hamim Rahman, both 15, have been awarded Level 2 BTECs in Work Skills, worth a B at GCSE, after completing a stint at the chain’s Headington restaurant.

They are among the first group of school students in the country to complete the qualification, dubbed a McGCSE, since its creation in March.

Both said it was more useful than many of their school exams.

Jamie, of Green Ridges, Barton, said: “This could help me get a job. I want to work as a mechanic, and it will be easier when I show I have worked somewhere.

“It is more useful than GCSE because it boosts your confidence.”

Hamim, of Rose Hill, added: “It is more helpful than a GCSE if you want to work serving customers.”

He said he wanted to work for the firm after finishing school.

McDonald’s franchisee Carl Room said: “It is good we can help nurture some of the young talent out there in the schools.

“Over the two weeks, they work from 9am to 3pm in the restaurant, learning how to serve, how to cook, and doing the cleaning.