Thomas Pearce, a 19-year-old from Old Colwyn who has undergone 44 operations for a rare skull condition, has thanked St David's College in Llandudno for helping him achieve his dream of becoming a doctor. He is now studying medicine at Cardiff University after securing top A-level grades despite months away from school recovering from surgeries.
Condition and surgeries
Thomas has Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2, an incurable genetic disorder affecting one in 100,000 children, where the skull fuses prematurely in the womb, distorting the head and face. He also has hydrocephalus, requiring a shunt to drain fluid. All his surgeries were performed at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. In his GCSE year alone, he had over three months off school due to shunt complications and three to four surgeries.
Academic achievements
Despite these challenges, Thomas achieved an A* in biology, an A in physics, an A in chemistry, and an A in AS maths, along with 10 A* grades and one A in 11 GCSEs. He credits the school's support for his success: “The teachers always caught me up with my studies, they would spend time after class helping me. I remember I was really worried for my English language GCSE and my English teacher came in on the last weekend before the exam and spent hours teaching me.”
Transformation from shy to confident
Thomas faced bullying in primary school due to his condition, which affected his confidence. “When I came into St David's initially, I was very shy and I didn't want to engage much with teachers. I had a big problem with eye contact,” he said. But with the school's support, he transformed: “I started to love making new friends and engaging with the teachers. There was always good banter in the classrooms, and I now consider all of my teachers from St David's as close friends.”
Support during difficult times
During a 14-hour surgery to correct an underbite, Thomas could not chew for two months and lost 9kg. The school's cooking staff prepared special meals like mash and fish pie. “If I wasn't at St David's I would never have caught up with my studies,” he said.
Inspiration to become a doctor
His health condition influenced his career choice: “Because I have been exposed to it for so long, I always looked up to the surgeons for what they did for me, and I wanted to be like them from an early age.”
Mother's gratitude
Thomas's mother, Nicki Pearce, said: “He had missed about 30 to 40% of his primary school because of his health condition, and he needed to be somewhere where they could nurture him - St David's College was that place.”
Headmaster's praise
Headmaster Andrew Russell said: “Thomas is an inspirational young man who has refused to be defined by his health issues or his surgeries. About 700 schools across the UK are part of the Independent Schools Association, and Thomas won the award for the most outstanding student sixth former. There was no competition; he is an extraordinary young man.”
