Arsenal record-breaker Max Dowman has collected his GCSE results and is leaving Brentwood School on the eve of his first season as a full-time professional footballer.
The 16-year-old midfielder, who became the Premier League's all-time youngest goalscorer during a breakout campaign with Arsenal last season, was pictured receiving his results in his uniform while wearing braces at the £30,000-a-year Brentwood School in Essex yesterday.
Dowman juggled school work with football throughout last season as he broke through at Arsenal. He scored against Everton at the Emirates Stadium in March to help the Gunners to the Premier League title before collecting his winners' medal in May.
Under football safeguarding rules, Dowman remains too young to share a dressing room with his senior team-mates. However, he is expected to play an even bigger role for Arsenal this season as the club defends its title.
Juggling schoolwork and Premier League football
While many of his school friends move on to Sixth Form and their A-Level studies, Dowman will now dedicate himself to football full-time.
Sources told the Daily Mail last week that the teenager would sometimes feel stretched having had to juggle schoolwork alongside first-team football. On several occasions, Dowman was named on the bench for a late kick-off before having to get up early for school in the morning.
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations are academic qualifications taken by pupils in England, with numerical grades ranging from 9 down to 1. Brentwood School revealed that nearly 60 per cent of all GCSE grades awarded at their school were 7 to 9, the equivalent of an A or A* grade under the traditional letter grading scale.
Thanking Brentwood School staff and friends
Reflecting on his departure, Dowman expressed his gratitude for the private school's support throughout his development.
"I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Brentwood School for everything they have done for me during my time here," Dowman said yesterday. "Although my journey at the school is ending earlier than expected as I pursue my football career, I will always be incredibly grateful for the support that the school and the staff have given me."
"The lessons I have learned, both on and off the pitch, will stay with me as I take this next step in my journey. A special thanks to Mrs Crowley, Mr Gamester and Miss Antonello for their kindness, support and encouragement throughout my time at Brentwood."
Dowman added: "I will always be grateful for the difference they have made to my experience here. I leave with some fantastic memories and friendships that I will always cherish. I am excited for what the future holds, but I will always look back on my time at Brentwood with great pride and gratitude."
A prestigious educational history
Brentwood School, located in Essex, is a co-educational independent school. The institution names Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, writer Douglas Adams, broadcaster Noel Edmonds and actor Griff Rhys Jones among its most famous alumni.
Dowman will now dedicate himself fully to professional football as Arsenal prepare for their upcoming title defence.
