Middleton Guardian
Thursday 26 August 2010

Life for Middleton identical twins Sammi and Ameen Chekroud can be something of a battle.

This year both young men have been fighting multiple exostoses, a genetic bone disease, and of course, as twins, both are in constant competition.  However, despite the trauma of successive operations this year, the boys have come through with flying colours to each gain a superb set of GCSEs.

Both pupils at The Manchester Grammar School, Sammi and Ameen 15 from Wellens Way, Middleton, explained just how competitive life could get.

Sammi said: To say we are competitive is an under-statement, he smiled, It is just in our make-up, added Ameen.

It’s not just a distraction, it’s far worse than that and we have to be split up in class just to make sure we can focus, they chimed.

The young men, however, set aside their sibling rivalry on GCSE day with Sammi gaining 9 A*s and 2 As and Ameen 6A* , 2`As and 2Bs.

Ameen was gracious: Sammi deserves it. He’s had a particularly tough time this year and I am just pleased for him. You know the competition goes just so far, but in reality we feed off each other’s success as well.

Sammi added: It’s good of Ameen to say that, but in truth we were both beaten by our brother Adam, who gained 10 A*s in his GCSEs and 2 A*s and 2As in his A-levels last week.



Mum Sarah said: I am just immensely proud of all my children. The twins really have had a battle this year, but have come through with good humour and a great determination to succeed.

Manchester Grammar School enjoyed record GCSE results with 89% of all grades at A* and A and an astonishing 55% at the top A* grade.

MGS’s A* to C pass rate was 99.5%, with 47 students gaining 9 or more A*s, and 24 gaining 10 or more A*s.

110 students of the year group of 193 (57%) gained ‘straight’ A grades, while the number of students achieving national benchmark of at least 5 A*-C grades was as usual 100%.

High Master, Dr Christopher Ray, said: Sammi and Ameen have come through adversity with great character and though they are certainly competitive, they support each other as well.

Pictured above are Sammi (left) and Ameen (right) and older brother Adam