Amersham teenager starts college two years early

After smashing his GCSE exams two years ahead of his peers, the bright teenager Rico found out he was going to start business studies at Amersham College this autumn.

The young man was brought up by single mother Claire Bradley, who’s also a successful and driven entrepreneur,  and he left the school system at seven-years-old, because there were too many distractions for him.

READ MORE: Wycombe Roller Derby to host free weekend taster session

Rico said: “I feel quite proud of myself, because if I was still in the school system I’d just be going into my GCSEs, but by the time I finish college, I will have my GCSEs and business study.

Rico, who studied higher level Maths and English, was especially proud of his achievement in Maths, because it was “very hard”, and he didn’t expect to pass although he likes it more than English.

The tech-savvy teenager has already set up his first business, and built the website urbankickslondon.com himself.

Rico as a seven-year-old boy with Wycombe born and raised NFL player Christian Wade, whose family are close friends with Rico and Claire.

“I run my own business selling trainers, and I’ve been doing it for about a year, and it’s been quite successful to be honest.

“This morning I woke up a £100 sale just from sleeping, so I was pretty impressed.”

During his breaks from studying, he managed to operate his business, and then he would go back to studying in the comfortable home environment, where he can “actually learn without being distracted,” Rico said.

“The main reason to go study business was because I started my own business, I love business. And the second reason is, I really want to become an accountant.”

“And he likes earning money,” mom Claire said.

Claire, a single parent of Rico and his four siblings, felt “absolutely amazing” for his achievements.

READ MORE: Hearings Dogs for Deaf People celebrates 40th anniversary

She said: “I grew up as a child in and out of care, and I grew up around a lot of violence.

"I got kicked out of school at 15 – not for any fault of my own but because of what I was being subjected to at home. And I feel I could have done so well, hence why I’m now being accepted into university to do a law degree." 

Although being a single mom was “quite tough”, being behind her children “goes to show that they will achieve, but you have to have a lot of authority as a mom nowadays.”

She said: “I’m an entrepreneur myself, I’ve worked for the Bucks Free Press for 27 years. I took over the cleaning contract 27 years ago from a massive company, so I’ve been there, and have obviously had to do a lot of negotiating.”

A source of inspiration for Claire and her family were the NFL player Christian Wade, his brother drummer Adam Wade, and their parents, whom Claire is close with. 

Claire added: “I’m a driven parent, and I believe it’s all about being behind your children and having the faith that they are very capable.”