A mainstream Down’s syndrome student is celebrating astonishing exam success.

Kieran Duffy achieved nine and a half GCSE passes in what is believed to be a county record for a pupil with his condition.

The 18-year-old, a sixth form student at New Line Learning Academy in Boughton Lane, Maidstone, proved a pass master in a number of subjects including dance, drama, music, sports science and art.

To add to his exam success, Kieran earned national recognition by being accepted onto a BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts at Canterbury College.

He is the only Down’s syndrome student in the UK to go straight to a mainstream course rather than starting with a college supported learning department.

Kieran from Marley Road, Harrietsham said the support of teachers and fellow students played a big part in his achievement.

He said: “I’ve lots of friends at school, they mean a lot to me and I’m just part of the gang.

“My mum helped me choose the Academy and I’m glad she did because I love it there.

“I’m proud of my exam results and it’s through drama and music that I’m able to really express myself.”

Kieran’s feat is more remarkable as his exam study time took place while his dad Chris, 54, recovered from a serious stroke last year.

His mum Tessa, 51, who has also battled breast cancer, said her son was a tower of strength throughout the ordeal.

She said: “He was really supportive to his dad, so grown up and very sensible.

“He’s an incredible young man and everyone who meets him really likes him.”

Tessa, who also has three daughters and is a speech language and communication adviser for the Down’s Syndrome Association, added: “The Academy sometimes gets a poor press and many said I was mad to send Kieran there as he would get beaten up and bullied.

“They couldn’t have been more wrong.

“The kids have been champions of Kieran and his school and family believe he has had the best friends in the world.”

Peter Elliott, learning support assistant at the Academy, believes Kieran’s “can-do” attitude is the key to his personal and academic qualities.

He said: “The school has given him so many opportunities and he’s never once said, ‘I can’t’, but always, ‘let’s give it a go’.

There are about 12,700 youngsters aged and 18 under with Down’s syndrome in the UK.

Frank Buckley, chief executive of Down CORR Syndrome Education International said Kieran’s was a “fantastic achievement” and students like him are succeeding “more than ever before”.

He said: “Children with Down’s syndrome are doing better in school today in part because we are learning more about their particular learning difficulties and also because they are gaining access to better education in mainstream schools.”

Richard Morgan, a member of the Down’s Syndrome Association communications team, said: “Ninety per cent of Down’s syndrome children attend mainstream schools in the UK, but I’ve never heard of anyone achieving nine and a half GCSE passes.”