A BOY battling brain cancer has amazed teachers by landing five A*s and two As in his GCSEs despite taking the exams just a fortnight after undergoing chemotherapy.

Alex Polywka, 16, of Norman Avenue, Abingdon, was diagnosed with a pineal brain tumor by doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, in February.

After undergoing four hours of surgery at the hospital to ease the pressure in February, the Magdalen College School pupil was paralysed down the left side of his body and had to learn to walk again.

Alex revised for his exams in his hospital bed and even took an AS-Level in maths at the hospital’s school, in which he also scored an A.

Mum Susan, 45, said: “We’re extremely proud of his attitude and achievement through all this.”

Master Tim Hands said: “It’s an extraordinary achievement. It’s amazing not only that he has taken so many exams but that he has done so well.”