FOR most boys of his age, moving to secondary school brings a customary bit of rough and tumble on the sports field.

But in five months, 11-year-old William Spencer will be sitting out of the action when he starts at Llantarnam School and concentrating on his favourite subjects in the classroom, maths and art.

That is because the youngster, who lives in Cwmbran with mum Catherine, 46 and dad Andrew, 49, has an Atrialventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), which means he cannot play contact sports as his heart cannot take the strain.

He has had four bouts of major heart surgery, including one at the age of two to fix a hole in his heart.

His heart is on the right side of his body and does not have a right ventricle, which helps supply blood to the lungs.

He takes three different types of tablets, including blood-thinning warfarin, meaning if William, who is smaller than many boys his age, cuts himself, his blood would take up to 15 minutes to start clotting, around three times longer than average.

His parents had a special machine donated by the Children’s Heart Foundation to test his clotting levels but viruses can upset the balance and as he needs an annual flu jab.

With brothers Christopher, 20 and Daniel, 16, they have to look out for things such as nosebleeds. He also bruises, feels the cold and gets tired more easily.

“It’s like his batteries are worn out and have to be recharged. It’s hard to tell an 11-year-old he can’t do something,” said Mr Spencer.

A cardiac liaison nurse will make an appointment with William’s new school to discuss his condition.

"What they may arrange is maybe for him to leave lessons a few minutes early so he doesn’t run the risk of getting pushed around," said Mr Spencer.

His dad, a software engineer, is assistant leader at 1st Henllys Scouts and William enjoys camping and playing with his dog, Molly.

His fellow pupils at Henllys Church in Wales Primary learned about his condition in lessons and he wears a medical bracelet in case of emergency, but his condition does not phase him. "I’m just an ordinary kid," he said.

Mrs Spencer said: "He’s already done better than the doctors ever expected him to do. He wants to become a zoologist, he loves penguins."

Brave lad is a professional patient

TRAINEE doctors and students have the chance to assess William - as he is a registered professional patient at St Woolos Hospital.

Several times a year, he attends on weekends, when up to 20 trainees take it in turns to diagnose his condition.

His parents are also keen supporters of charities including the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Spencer ran the London Marathon last month and raised around £2,000 for BHF.

"We are extremely grateful for all the help we have had to deal with William’s condition, from charities and our family and friends," Mr Spencer added.