Doctor could be first person to complete entire education within Shropshire boundaries – despite struggling with dyslexia
A newly graduated doctor has become what is believed to be the first person to have completed every stage of his education within the boundaries of Shropshire – despite struggling with dyslexia.
Dr Bill Watts, 28, from Ludlow, started at the Temperance Nursery Group, Craven Arms, in the early 1990s, and recently finished a 10 year stint at Harper Adams University in Newport.
Bill went to Stokesay County Primary School, Craven Arms, before moving onto Church Stretton Secondary School in 2001.
Following school, he went to Ludlow College and joined Harper Adams University in 2008, where he studied and researched in agricultural topic areas for ten years, achieving a BSc, MSc, and earlier this year, his PhD.
Bill said: “As a dyslexic person, I have had my fair share of challenges with writing and reading over the years. I was statemented with special needs at age six and was borderline illiterate for much of my early education.
“By age 18, I had an A grade A-level in English and by 28-years-old a doctoral degree. It’s all about perseverance, positivity and support at school and at home.
“I’m proud to be a product of the Shropshire education system and I hope my story shines a little light on the provision of education that is available in Shropshire. But mostly, I hope my story might give confidence to the parents of dyslexic children, and to those children themselves, that dyslexia can be worked around, and that it is not a synonym for stupid.
“I set myself the personal goal to achieve the highest academic standard, and I’m pleased to have finally achieved it.”
Bill’s PhD was called "factors affecting biofumigation success against potato cyst nematodes".
His work focussed on improving the biofumigation method of managing potato cyst nematodes, which are soilborne pests of the potato crop, responsible for £25 million in losses to the UK economy each year.
Since graduating, Bill has started a job at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board as the knowledge exchange manager for potatoes in the West Midlands, South West and Wales. His new role will involve delivering potato growers with up-to-date research findings and business tools. He continues to live in Shropshire.
