Teen passes GCSEs despite brain tumour diagnosis

Honey Ibbitson, pictured with mum Julie Ibbitson, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour at 10 years old.

Honey Ibbitson was 10 years old when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

It came years after doctors dismissed as growing pains the discomfort in the Birmingham teenager's legs.

Five years on, and despite missing lots of school due to her cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst, she is among the thousands of students to open their GCSE results.

After post-exam surgery a little over a week ago, Honey learned on Thursday she had passed all her subjects. She is now set on studying education, in the hope of becoming a primary school teacher.

Honey, 16, was diagnosed in 2019 and was told the mass on her brain had likely been there since she was in the womb.

Mum Julie Ibbitson, said doctors had been doing tests to find the cause of her pains since the age of six.

"They said [the pains] were completely normal for her age," she told the BBC. "It got to the point where Honey was limping because to walk was too painful at times.

"My mother's instinct was telling me there was more to it.

"I pushed for a referral to the hospital, but never expected to be told that Honey had something growing in her brain."

Honey underwent a 12-hour operation in November 2023 but it was cut short due to a bleed.

The student at John Henry Newman Catholic College missed nine weeks of school and was failing all subjects in her January mocks before rallying in the proper exams in June.

Eight days ago, the teenager faced a second operation to remove more of the mass.

'Formidable young lady'

Teachers at Honey's school said her work ethic and determination was an inspiration to all students.

Caroline Burke, head of English, said: "I'm exceptionally proud of Honey. She's a formidable young lady, she's overcome such obstacles and she's worked really hard.

"She's got the resilience that I don't think many adults have, to be honest."

Honey's mum said her journey over the last few years had been difficult.

She said: "[She was] able to turn it around and still get the passes and celebrate in style like everyone else."