A FORMER Churchill Community School pupil will be one of the first in the country to study for an A-Level at McDonalds.

A FORMER Churchill Community School pupil will be one of the first in the country to study for an A-Level at McDonalds.

It will be 20-year-old Tom Lamb's first A-Level and he cannot wait to get stuck in to the course at the fast food giant outlet in Weston Links where he is already a shift manager.

The company has just announced that it has won approval for its staff training to count towards the official qualifications.

Now, Tom, who left school with a national diploma in public services, can combine parts of his McDonald's course to obtain the Government's new flagship vocational and academic award.

Tom, of Sands Road, Kewstoke, began working for the company almost five years ago in a part-time post while still a Churchill school pupil.

He became a full-time member two years ago and has already completed a basic shift manager's course.

When he is not flipping burgers, Tom enjoys playing football with his mates.

He said: "I don't know much about the details yet, but it will be good to have another thing to put on my CV.

"My parents think it is great and my 16-year-old brother has thought about joining. I know what some people think about McDonalds and they're entitled to their opinion because they don't know what goes on behind the scenes.

"I'm just really happy to be involved and I hope to get promoted in this store and work my way up through the company."

The new diplomas are accredited by exams watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The company has been given level three awarding status, so the diploma is equivalent to A-Levels.

Training schemes at airline FlyBe and Network Rail have also been officially recognised.