Young shepherdess sets the 'baa' high by bringing pet sheep to GCSE results day
Milly Johnson brought along the 4-year-old North Ronaldsay sheep to receive her grades from Tarleton Academy, near Preston.
Last updated 21st Aug 2025
It was a GCSE results day with a difference at Tarleton Academy in West Lancashire, where a young shepherdess brought along her pet sheep, Kevin, to receive her grades.
Milly Johnson, 16, who has won awards for sheep-handling, set the 'baa' high with her impressive results, which open the door for a career in farm veterinary nursing.
You can see a video of Milly and Kevin from our TikTok feed here:
Milly describes the North Ronaldsay sheep as her best friend, who goes everywhere with her: "They're one of the rarest sheep breeds in the world, and he's probably one of the 'chillest' sheep you've ever seen. He came to prom with me and he absolutely loved it. He was the star of the show and he's known as a little celebrity around here."
Kevin, who acted as a "therapy sheep" for her nerves in the run up to results day, wore a halter which matched Milly's dress for the end of year celebrations.
Milly now hopes to work with animals just like Kevin, having been offered an apprenticeship at a farm vets: "I'll be working with cows, sheep, pigs, all livestock and large animals. It's an apprenticeship but I will do one day a week at Myerscough College and it's to do with anaesthetics and all things like that for veterinary care."
The teenager regularly shows Kevin and this year won first place in the over-11s young handler's class at the Trawden Agricultural Show.
Scott Parker, headteacher at Tarleton Academy, which is part of the Endeavour Learning Trust, said: "I think Kevin represents a change in the destinations that students are choosing to go on to in terms of next steps post-16. We've seen an increase in students going to do T-Levels and vocational courses; there's a real diversification in terms of the courses that students are taking.
"We're really proud of Milly and the work that she's done with Kevin."
Other Tarleton Academy students with unusual aspirations this year include identical twin brothers Josh and Jude Baldwin who, inspired by their uncle, are both signed on to a Golf Studies B-Tech at Myerscough College.
Josh said: "Our uncle is a pro-golfer so I want to follow what he's done in life. We're on the golf course pretty much every day. I'm not really the academic sort and I like doing things that are practical. I obviously love golf and it's something that I find very challenging and very fun."
When asked if it's important that the brothers follow similar paths, Jude said: "Very important. We're both very good mates and we hope to see each other succeed."
The twins plan to celebrate their success by watching their uncle play golf in Birmingham.
Mr Parker added: "They're very talented golfers, they've done incredibly well in their GCSEs and we're very proud of them. I'm very confident that they will go on to make it in golfing because of their commitment to the sport.
"All the results today are testament to the hard work and dedication of our students. I know there will be proud head teachers, teachers, parents and carers up and down this country so go, celebrate and enjoy the day."