Grandad Goes Back To School At 91 - And Passes All His Exams

After missing out on an education when he was a boy, a grandad has now passed his exams with flying colours - at the age of 91.

Nicola Torello has spent his whole life working and bringing up his four children and six grandchildren but decided the time was finally right to dust off his old books and go back to school.

And his studying paid off as he has just become the oldest person in Italy ever to pass his middle school exams at Ortiz School in Chieti.

He scored top marks for his essay on Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni, as well as getting top marks in his maths and English exams.

He said in English, he revealed that he was actually sad when the exam came to an end.

Nicola said: “I’d prepared a speech about my beloved wife Licia, who passed away last year, but they didn’t let me get round to finishing it.”

He also wrote an essay about his life as a soldier in Greece during WWII with the resistance as well as what life was like in Chieti during the allied liberation of Europe.

With classes going on until 5pm every day for a whole year, school life was not the easiest one for a man nine years away from his 100th birthday.

But with education bug, Nicola has now decided to enrol in even more classes.

He said: "I’d like to go to a school that offers humanities, but it’s a bit difficult to get to the school in Chieti Alta, so I’m going to the De Sterlich polytechnic school around the corner.

"Then I also want to learn to use a computer.

“At my age it’s important to keep myself busy.”

The jolly widower, who keeps fit by swimming twice a week, celebrated with his family, professors and the Mayor of Chieti, Umberto di Primo after passing the exams.

Next time you have to revise for an hour, think of Nicola.