Brickie building new future at leading uni

ANYTHING is possible . . . former brickie Paul Lee. Pictures courtesy of the Cambridge Evening News

CHADDERTON brickie Paul Lee left school with only one GCSE and very few future prospects.

Fast forward 22 years and the former Our Lady’s RC High pupil is studying history at Cambridge.

Paul, who grew up on a council estate, started work as a bricklayer at just 16 but back problems forced him to give up his job and claim benefits. In 2006, Paul’s dad Kenny died after battling cancer and the tragedy encouraged him to re-evaluate his life and change his future.

The 38-year-old signed up for an Access Level 2 course at Hopwood Hall College, Middleton, and he took five GCSEs in 12 months, gaining A*s in every subject — the best results the college had ever seen.

Paul planned to become a maths tutor but fell in love with history and his teacher, Ken Doodson, encouraged him to apply for a place at Hughes Hall, Cambridge.

Now in his second year, Paul says his initial fears of being frozen out by other students have disappeared.

He added: “I still have to pinch myself sometimes. If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be here now studying at one of the best universities in the world I would never have believed it. It’s just a dream for someone like me.

“I was worried I might not fit in. I had the stereotypical view that Cambridge was for kids who are either really privileged or geniuses, or most probably both. But I love it here. Most of all I love the studying. It really is a dream.”

Paul admits that if he hadn’t developed sciatica he would probably still be working as a bricklayer now.

As he fell into the benefits trap, Paul saw no way out and sank into a deep depression which led to him moving back in with his parents.

He said: “It was a very tough time. I couldn’t get my head round it. I didn’t have any other qualifications, I just thought to myself, ‘Well, that’s it, my life’s over’.

“My mum was worried about me. I did go to the doctor and get some help. I was on anti-depressants for a couple of years but the depression had a big impact.

“I lost contact with my friends, I was staying in all the time. It was quite sad, really. It’s not something I’m proud of at all. Looking back, I feel I should have pulled myself out of that rut a lot quicker than I did.”

The shock of his father dying at the age of 55 spurred Paul into taking action over his future.

He said: “It was almost like I needed a shock of that magnitude to force myself out of the rut I’d got myself into. It made me think, ‘What am I doing — I’m just wasting my life away here. I really need to do something’.”

Returning to the classroom to study for five GCSEs was a daunting prospect but Paul soon found himself enjoying classes and started to develop a passion for history.

Paul was shocked when his application to Cambridge was successful and he was invited for an interview before securing his place with top A-Level grades.

And after receiving the second highest grade possible for his first year examinations, Paul is approaching his second year with a new, positive attitude.

He said: “There was a time when I thought my life was over and now here I am at Cambridge University. It just goes to show that anything is possible.”