KURTIS Mann, from Stoulton, near Worcester, appeared to be a perfectly happy young boy during his first years at school in Norton-Juxta-Kempsey First and then Drakes Broughton Middle schools.

He had good reports from both schools but was full of energy when he got home each day. His mum Trudy recalls: “Kurtis was the life and soul and he was a vibrant little boy. He was a model first and middle school pupil but when he came home he was like an exploding bottle of pop.”

The teenager, now aged 17, said everything changed when he moved up to Year Eight and into a new school. “Throughout school life up to Year Seven, I always loved school and was really confident.

“When I went up to Year Eight, I went from a school with 200 pupils to another with 1,500 pupils. I just found the whole thing overwhelming. I started to refuse to go to school and made up excuses that I was ill,” he said.

His mum added that Pershore High School tried everything to help Kurtis adjust to his new school environment. “The school tried everything and the transition was not working. It was a huge shock because we thought if there were any problems they would be highlighted in school before this.

“Within three weeks of starting in Pershore, things went horribly wrong. He got stomach ache and earache. We went to see the headmaster who was extremely supportive.

“One day Kurtis said ‘Please help me – I’m ill’. We went to the doctor and were referred to the child and adolescent mental health service.” Kurtis revealed he had tried to commit suicide.

He was taken out of Pershore High School and stayed at home for seven months. Kurtis developed Body Dysmorphia Disorder (BDD) related to his teenage acne. The condition is an anxiety disorder which means a person has a distorted view of how they look and spends a lot of time worrying about their appearance.

It also emerged that the teenager had Asperger syndrome. Some people with this condition say the world feels overwhelming and this can cause them considerable anxiety. It also tends to affect the way they understand and relate to others - taking part in everyday family, school, work and social life can be harder than for most people.

Kurtis said: “It took me about four hours to get out of the house.”

Trudy added: “The Body Dysmorphia was extreme. He would have to go over and over routines. It was more than OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

“He went from being a happy boy to someone who would not go out of the house. He had no friends and did not want to carry on living. It was horrendous.

“I had to give up work. It changed my life completely. I gave up work because I knew Kurtis had to be my first priority.”

Kurtis was given access to the local Medical Education Team (MET), which provides education for pupils unable to attend main stream school because of their medical needs. Kurtis said: “I struggled getting there. Even if I was ready, it would take me an hour to get out of the door.”

Trudy, who fought to get an educational and care plan for Kurtis covering him until the age of 25, added: “I had a meeting with the local authority and that officer understood the struggles that Kurtis faced. The plan covers his mental health and education.

“He was at MET for two years. It was hard work and they kept pressing Kurtis but with the prospect of GCSEs he started to get anxious and depressed.”

As Kurtis started to struggle further his parents looked at the option of sending him to Norton College, near Worcester – less than two miles from his home. The college supports young people unable to benefit from mainstream education and aims to give the most challenged and challenging young people the sort of educational, social and vocational skills that will enable them to integrate into society.

“We knew we had funding for Norton College, but when Kurtis started to regress, the head took him instantly and supported him through GCSEs. They have been amazing.

“Norton College concentrates on the pupil’s well-being and on what they can do rather than what they cannot. They treat him with so much respect. Kurtis really enjoys going to college and we have got the old Kurtis back.”

Although Kurtis admits he still struggle to get to college on time, he has clearly settled in well and has shown an interest in mentoring other students at the college. He hopes there may be an apprenticeship and said: “I would like to get an NVQ in caring.

“I am really grateful and I do not wish anything different. I have landed in a place where I am happy. I relate on aspects on what it feels like to have difficulties and struggles.

“Since I have been at Norton, my confidence has grown.” He has also dipped his toes into the world of modelling and acting. “I had a photo shoot when I was about 16. It was for therapeutic reasons.”

Trudy posted one of the photographs of Kurtis on Facebook and people commented saying he should become a model. His mum then registered him with a modelling agency called VisAble People for individuals with disabilities.

Since then Kurtis has done a few acting jobs including the BBC Doctors soap and Kooth - an online service that offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged 11 to 19 (25 in some areas).

From this he went on to apply for a modelling competition called Mr British Isles and was sponsored by Norton College. “I applied for Mr North using the photos from the photo shoot. It is a regional final of Mr British Isles. About 8,000 people applied and I got into the final 20.

“I came third and I was awarded the title of Mr Worcester. I am a finalist for the Mr British Isles and the final is on June 18 in Chester.”

The young man, who was once unable to leave the house, had to parade in several different costumes including a tuxedo, going out wear and swimwear in front of an audience including his proud parents Trudy and David.

Trudy said: “Where I felt there was no hope, this was beyond my wildest dreams. I can’t explain the pride I felt for Kurtis when he was on the catwalk. I cannot thank Norton College enough.”

Kurtis added: “The thing I am really proud of is the Mr Worcester title. For me to be able to represent Worcester and to have a place in the final is the best thing.

“I was the youngest person in the male category and I had never done it before. Now I do not want to fit in with people - I want to stand out.”

Norton College education director Ian Hardicker said: “Kurtis came to us in crisis. He was struggling with the pressure of approaching exams. I told him this was going to be a fresh start and a new beginning, that the past had gone and we treat students as we see them.

“Kurtis looked up and I could see he had potential. He is a bright and able boy and he has a future. We gave Kurtis the opportunity to do things in a style and pace that suited him and he responded.

“We did a lot of work with Kurtis and he has come on leaps and bounds. He is such a nice lad. He should be very proud of himself.”