A PASSION for drumming has led to a Year 7 student at Richmond School achieving the Rock School’s top grade exam.

Oliver Clarkson, 11, has been learning the drums for five years and took his grade one Rock School exam in May 2015.

His talent and interest were apparent from the start and he went on to skip grades two and four, achieving grade seven in August 2018 and now grade eight, passing all the exams with either high merits or distinctions.

Oliver plays in the School of Rock band at Richmond School and also performs at the Forum in Darlington. He is taught by Andy Brigham, of Rhythm Dynamics who says: “Oliver has been an absolute pleasure to teach over the past 3 and a half years. He has been very hardworking and that solid dedication and passion is the reason he has achieved above and beyond. Going from grade one to eight in such an incredibly short space of time is an outstanding achievement.

“He now has my top spot for my youngest student to have ever achieved grade eight and I am very proud of him for that. I think it will take some beating. Oliver will no doubt in my mind go far with his music.”

Grade eight is the highest level Rock School exam so Oliver is now investigating ways to further his studies. He already has 24 UCAS points towards university entry.

Oliver said: “I love playing the drums, performing at the summer concerts at The Forum in Darlington and with the School of Rock.