Newslish
ArchiveLesson #195Culture

Boy with Cerebral Palsy Achieves GCSE Success

Patrick McCabe, a boy with cerebral palsy, uses eye-tracking technology to pass his GCSEs and starts A-levels, facing challenges along the way.

Free · No ads

Pick your level

Standard version (B1-B2)

Standard: natural English

Patrick McCabe is a 16-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who achieved remarkable by passing his GCSEs this summer. He used eye-tracking technology to complete his exams, which took four months. Now, Patrick has started his A-levels in French, business, and media studies, facing new ahead. Patrick describes his school as mostly positive. He wanted to learn just like his big brothers. However, he has faced , particularly in building friendships due to communication barriers. He believes that students using eye-tracking technology should have more opportunities to show their knowledge. Despite the difficulties, Patrick feels excited about his future and hopes to study media at university.

Lesson audio

Standard level

Tap to play

Narration includes the headline and summary.

Adapted from The Guardian, 2 October 2026, and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.

Grammar in this story

“He believes that students using eye-tracking technology should have more opportunities to show their knowledge.”

Reporting verb + that-clause. Read the guide

Key vocabulary

  • success noun

    Achieving a goal.

    “Winning the competition was a great success for the team.”

  • challenge noun

    A difficult task or problem.

    “Learning a new language can be a big challenge.”

  • assist verb

    To help someone.

    “Teachers assist students with their studies.”

  • opportunity noun

    A chance to do something.

    “She had the opportunity to travel abroad for her studies.”

  • experience noun

    Knowledge or skill gained from doing something.

    “His work experience helped him find a job.”

Quick quiz

01What did Patrick McCabe achieve this summer?

02What does 'success' mean in the text?

03How long did it take Patrick to complete his exams?

04What does Patrick want to study at university?

Answered 0 of 4

Discussion

Patrick faced challenges with friendships due to communication barriers. How do you think schools can provide better opportunities for students with disabilities? In your answer, use the words 'success' and 'challenge'.