AFTER positive results in his GCSEs, Powys pupil Joseph Fanner is dreaming of a future career in herpetology – the study of amphibians and reptiles.

In many ways, the teenager embodies his chosen field; he is something of a chameleon himself, in that his future is a lot rosier now compared to the dark days of the pandemic.

Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns it brought with it were hard on us all. But Joseph, at such a fragile stage of his adolescence, began to suffer extreme anxiety – so bad that he withdrew from his friends and even struggled to leave his bedroom.

At the height of the pandemic, however, he switched schools, transferring from a boys school in Monmouth to Crickhowell High School, and he has credited them with turning his life around.

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“I’ve really struggled with anxiety, it’s been a problem for three years, but the school has been absolutely amazing in helping and guiding me through it,” said Joseph, now 16, on results day, as he celebrated grades including one A*, two As, three Bs and four Cs.

“Without the move to Crickhowell I wouldn’t be celebrating the results I have, definitely not,” he added.

“They’ve always been there and helped me. They haven’t let me spiral downwards. It’s a really special school.”

Joseph, who lives in nearby Govilon, just over the Powys-Gwent border, got his A* in French; As in biology and music; Bs in religious studies, English literature and English language; and Cs in maths, numeracy, chemistry and physics.

He is returning to Crickhowell next month to study music, biology and French at A Level.

“I’d love to go to university for zoology and herpetology, which is the study of reptiles,” he said, looking into the future.

“It’s really my passion. I’ve kept and bred reptiles for ages and it’s what I’d like to do later in life. I guess I’m something of a chameleon myself, with what I’ve been through.”

Joseph's fascination with reptiles started when he had a bearded dragon aged eight. Since then he's added two royal pythons, a Brazilian rainbow boa, a hognose snake, multiple Kenyan sand boas, as well as collared lizards and tarantulas. 

Joseph Fanner overcame a lot, to achieve a positive set of GCSE results.Joseph Fanner overcame a lot, to achieve a positive set of GCSE results. (Image: Peter Williams)

Exam results day. It’s a mixed day, filled with unbridled joy, nervousness and, yes, disappointment too.

But for Joseph’s father William, Thursday was one day he didn’t think was possible during the pandemic.

“During lockdown we weren’t very happy with the school he was in,” recalled William, who became emotional looking back and remembering what his son has gone through.

“He withdrew and started having anxiety about leaving the house. He wouldn’t speak to his friends, it was really hard work just getting him out of his bedroom.

“We got him into Crickhowell, which to be honest was the best thing we could have done.

“They were so supportive and encouraging. They knew how to work with him.

“They have a hub, somewhere pupils can go if they’re not up to being in the lesson. It was a godsend and the team there are absolutely amazing.

“If you’d asked me three years ago what our expectations were for his exams, I’d have said I have no expectations whatsoever, because at that time he wouldn’t do anything.

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“Now, he’s got As, Bs and Cs, he’s done an amazing job. He’s worked hard but it’s also down to the school.”

William added: “Joseph’s not an isolated case but with him it [the pandemic] really did affect him.

“He got cut off and isolated. He’d get really upset, angry, about going to school and would not entertain it.

“But they worked wonders with him. It took a long time for us to get him out of it. The school worked tirelessly with us. They went above and beyond.”

Crickhowell headteacher Claire Jones added: “Joseph has achieved a strong set of results after a challenging few years, and we are incredibly proud of him. He has overcome significant hurdles.”