Hollywood moment for ‘Mushy’, the pride of Thornhill

Gareth Unwin was one of the millions of viewers who were moved by the emotional final episode of the acclaimed Channel 4 series, in which “Mushy” gave a speech in front of his entire school year.

So moved, in fact, that he made a visit to Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury yesterday to meet him, bringing along one of the film’s four Academy Awards.

“It feels really good that he came,”said Mushy, who also received a letter from actor Colin Firth, who starred in the film as King George VI.

“People are saying to me all this happened because of me but I can’t say it’s because of me. Standing up in front of those students, in front of 200 people, it wasn’t my idea. It’s the teachers and staff.

“The speech was hard at first. I was thinking: ‘I can’t speak. I won’t be able to show people who I really am.’

“But it felt amazing at the end.”

His achievement was something he never thought possible in Year 7, when he was teased so badly his parents considered moving him to another school.

But with the nurture of staff like English teacher Matthew Burton, he has flourished.

It was thanks to Mr Burton that Mushy was able to conquer his stammer to deliver an important speech that made up 20 per cent of his GCSE English exam.

The assistant headteacher decided to see whether listening to music could help after watching The King’s Speech.

The 2010 film tells the story of George VI’s struggle with his own speech impediment and how managed to find his voice using the tactic.

“I didn’t expect anything to happen,” said Mr Burton.

“When it did make the difference it made it was fairly magnificent really. It was wonderful to see.

“It’s lovely to help him to make that step but it’s all credit to him really for sticking the headphones on and having a go.

“It was incredibly emotional for me to watch it back and I was just so proud of the journey that he had been on and the way he had pushed himself.”

He added: “Many kids in that situation wouldn’t have bothered, they’d have shrunk into themselves and could be forgiven for not putting their hands up in lessons.

“That moment came towards the end of Year 11 at a time when it needed to click and these things rarely do at that absolute right moment, but it did and it worked for him.”

Mushy, who left school with five GCSEs at A to C – including in English – is now studying science at college in Huddersfield and hopes to go into teaching like his mentor.

“Teachers aren’t just there to make your life feel like hell for five years,” he said.

“What the teachers are there for is to help you to realise that you have got the capability to get the best grades that you can.

“Mr Burton has been an inspiration.”

In a question and answer session with pupils and staff, Mr Unwin said he had been touched by the series and described the school as a beacon to others across Yorkshire and beyond.

He also presented the school with a poster signed by the cast and crew.

Headteacher Jonny Mitchell said it had been a “surreal” day.

“What an experience for the kids,” he said.

“It’s something I never dreamed I’d see – an Oscar being brought into the school where I work.

“But to see the buzz on the kids’ faces and have people bringing these things in and speaking so passionately about what they do for a living is pretty monumental.”

Praising Mr Burton and Mushy’s hard work and dedication, he added: “That progress and that eureka moment you see was an amazing piece of television for one thing, but it was also a massive validation of all the work that goes into making sure that every student secures a good future.”