Rashael Kelly-Jarvis with 12-day-old Rasharn, collecting her A-level results with her friend Shauna Cawley, who also achieved A-level success

Published: 17 August, 2012
by ALICE HUTTON

A TEENAGE mum who sat her exams a month before giving birth scooped an incredible double success yesterday (Thursday) with a healthy 12-day-old baby boy in one arm – and a clean sweep of A-level results in the other. 

Rashael Kelly-Jarvis picked up an A* in sociology and two As in philosophy and computer studies at Camden School for Girls. 

The 18-year-old from Holloway had to revise for the exams while coping with bouts of dizziness and pregnancy-related problems with her arm.

Eight months pregnant, she sat hours of tough exams at the comprehensive school whose former pupils include actress Emma Thompson and Sarah Brown, wife of former PM Gordon Brown.

But it was all worth it. Rashael, whose son Rasharn was centre of attention in the school gym as results were revealed yesterday, told the Tribune her grades were “unbelievable.”

She said: “I had no idea they would be this good. I’m a bit shocked really.

“I did work really hard but I didn’t think I would get an A* and all As. It’s unbelievable.” 

Deputy head of year Olivia Camilla added: “We are just so proud of Rashael. I have been her form tutor since she got here and I am really excited by how well she has done.”

It was in November last year that Rashael and her boyfriend, Marlon Jennings, 21, an assistant chef, discovered she was pregnant.

“When I found out I knew immediately that I could do both – have the baby and do the exams,” she said. “It was tough, I guess, having to do both at the same time, but I have shown you can do it.”

Laughing, she added: “I had a few problems that I guess my friends didn’t. I got dizziness and I had a problem with my arm linked to pregnancy.

“I got really tired as well, when I was studying. But I still stayed up late at night.

“Marlon has been great. He has lots of brothers and sisters and is a bit older than me so he was really supportive.

“My mum is so proud of me, of the results and also happy to have a grandson.”

Rashael is taking a gap year to find out what she wants to do – and possibly sit even more exams. 

“I didn’t apply to university this year as I’m not sure what I want to do yet,” she said. “I hope when [Rasharn] is older he will be proud of me.”