Alex Batty started college yesterday after spending six years living with his mother and grandfather on continental communes.
Batty will attend an educational institution for the first time since his family fled to Spain in 2017 at the age of 11.
He will need to undergo assessments at Oldham College before starting a number of courses.
The 17-year-old, who hopes to study computer science at university, told The Sun: “Going to college and getting a proper education is my biggest dream.
An image of Alex Batty since returning to the UK
ITV
“It’s going to feel like the first day of the rest of my life.
“I am really motivated and want to get cracking and get some qualifications as quickly as I can. I can’t wait to get started.”
Batty spent six years moving around remove villages in France and Spain.
The teenager did not attend school during the period and instead relied on rereading the Harry Potter books.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Alex (left), Melanie (middle) and David (right)
PA
He also attempted to teach himself maths along the way.
Batty returned to the UK after leaving his mother’s rented home on December 11.
He was transferred to a police station after being picked up at 3am by a passerby.
The 17-year-old was flown to Manchester on December 16.
Batty had an emotional reunion with his 68-year-old grandmother Susan Caruana and her partner Leli in Oldham.
Alex Batty went missing at the age of 11GMPCaruana, who is Batty’s legal guardian, had not seen her grandson since he left the UK.
Batty travelled abroad with his mother Melanie Batty, then 38, and his grandfather David Batty, then 59, on a pre-agreed trip six years ago.
Both adults were prohibited from being with the boy at the time due to domestic difficulties.
The teenager’s mother Melanie Batty, 43, and grandfather David Batty, 58, are reportedly on the run on France.
Detectives have been investigating the incident as a possible abduction case.
