Determined paramedic who left school with no GCSEs tells pupils there are many different paths to success

An inspiring paramedic has urged GCSE students who may be left disappointed by their results to not lose heart and consider their journey to success just beginning, after overcoming many challenges himself and now thriving in his career.

London Ambulance Service paramedic Joshua Thorn, 26, remembers the day he received his GCSE results – three D grades in English, Art and PE – and being left disheartened and unsure about what to do next. But after undertaking some real work experience in a care home and in a hospital A&E department, he dedicated his career to helping others.

As teenagers across the country wait to receive their exam results, Josh has shared his story to help inspire the next generation to overcome any disappointment they face and instead keep pushing on for success in their futures, just like him.

Josh said: “I’m a product of my failures as much as my successes. The journey from me leaving school to getting where I am now was not a straight path. Success is not just a straight line, it’s often a very wiggly line with many ups and downs.

“But looking back on the journey to my current job now, I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to reach where I am and because of that hard work, I have a job that I love.”

At the age of 16, Josh was not very focused on school and admits he did not see the merits in working hard with his education as he had no idea what he wanted for his future.

He went onto college where he undertook a qualification in sport coaching, which made him realise how fascinating and engaging he found anatomy and physiology.

During his time at college, he worked part-time in a care home and later went on to work in the Accident and Emergency department of his local hospital. These roles helped him to realise he wanted to work as a paramedic.

Josh added: “The only thing stopping me when I realised I wanted to be a paramedic was my maths GCSE, after I had attained my English GCSE during my time at college.

“I did my maths three or four times and continued to fail. But I was so close. Eventually I did a level two maths functional skills course which I passed and enabled me to go to university.”

He admits having to repeat his GCSEs was not easy, due to the fact he has always struggled – in part due to his personal struggle with dyslexia.

“It wasn’t until I got to university that I started to truly understand dyslexia and had allowances made for it, with special measures during exams and one to one meetings with tutors which helped me progress with assignments – it all made life a lot easier.

“I now fully understand how my dyslexia impacts me – so I can find ways to work around it and have still managed to achieve success.”

Josh could never have imagined he would be in such a rewarding role now. He is particularly drawn to palliative care and mental health calls because he feels he really makes a difference to the lives of those patients and their families.

At 26-years-old, Josh said there are many at his career level who are younger – but he does not regret his own past or journey to get to where he is.

In a message to students, Josh said: “The results you get today do not define you as an individual. You might not get the results you want or need now but you can apply yourself, work hard and you will reap what you sow.

“What you put in, you get out in life. If you work hard and you want to change the results you got – you have to be willing to put the effort in and hopefully when you do you will achieve your goals.”

He also said comparison to others should be avoided at all costs because everyone is on their own unique path. The only thing that matters, Josh says, is fulfilling your dreams and achieving your goals.

Josh said: “I’ve had a different journey to that of many others – but I love what I do now and that’s all that matters. I’m still a paramedic, working for London Ambulance Service – how I got here is different to others, but I’m still where I want to be and that’s what counts.”

And Josh says he loves his job – especially how each and every day is different because you can never predict the incidents you will attend, the patients you will help or the situations you will be in.

He added: “I’ve done so many things I never would have thought I would do – but that’s the life of a paramedic and I love it!”

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