An inspirational Derby High School student who cares for her mum achieved an A* and two A grades in her A-levels. Tayemar Fowler-Davis, 18, studied Maths, Physics and Chemistry and also achieved an A in AS-level Further Maths.
The 18-year-old is a carer for her mum, Pauline Davis, who has severe myopia and suffers from sight loss. The teenager is always by her mum’s side when she is at home, in Derby, helping her with everyday tasks such as cooking and shopping.
As well as studying for A-levels, Tayemar organised a fashion show at Derby High School which raised £850 for Young Carers UK. She was also nominated for a Derby Telegraph Community Champions award this year.
Tayemar will go on to Durham University to study Theoretical Physics and has the full support of her mum.
“I’ve been having nightmares that I would fail my exams and I actually had one right before I opened up the email from school which had my grades in it,” said Tayemar.
“I woke up really early so I was waiting for about an hour and 30 minutes before the email arrived at 7am. My mum was in the next room so I ran in and she didn’t even have to ask me what I’d got. We both started crying and she was so happy for me. I’m so relieved; I’ll actually be able to sleep now.”
I’ve been having nightmares that I would fail my exams and I actually had one right before I opened up the email from school which had my grades in it
“My mum has always encouraged me to go for Durham because that’s where I wanted to go. I would have been happy to go to Nottingham and commute but she didn’t want to hold me back,” continued Tayemar.
“I’m not going until October so I can still spend plenty of time with her and then my aunty is moving in to look after her. It will be so strange because at the moment my life revolves around my mum and when I’m planning anything I always think of her,” said Tayemar. “My whole schedule will change but at least I know how to cook. I’ve taught my mum how to FaceTime so I’ll still be in contact with her every day.”
Headteacher Denise Gould added, “Tayemar’s results this summer are very well-deserved and we are very proud of her achievements, both in her academic work and in her contribution to school and the wider community. We look forward to seeing her progress as she moves into the next phase of her education.”
