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A month-long school trip to Kenya turned Lila Gibbs’ life around.

Having struggled with friendships, the student at Epping St John’s decided to join the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

While in Kenya, Lila and her classmates helped to redecorate a school, to deworm a herd of goats and set up safety equipment for a family of elephants.

The experience had such an impact on Lila’s mindset, she returned to school in Year 11 and knuckled down to her studies.

This week, she collected two Grade 5 and five Grade 4 in her GCSEs – an achievement she felt would not happen two years ago.

Lila, said: “My results are better than I was hoping for; a lot better.

“I decided to go to Kenya at the end of Year 10 to make a difference. It helped to open my eyes and give me an understanding of how other people live and how their lives are different to ours.

“I felt more grateful and lucky after the trip. It made me really appreciate the school we have and that we can go to school without worrying.

“I really put my head down after that trip, compared to the previous years. I probably would not have passed anything without the trip as I did not have much interest in school.

“I appreciate the lifechanging experience the school has given me. It was a good thing to do.”

Proud mum Shona McClure said: “I am immensely proud of Lila and her last two years at Epping St John’s. She turned it all around and realised how important her education is which has resulted in her passing her GCSEs and getting a place in sixth form.”

Lila is staying on at Epping St John’s Sixth Form to study double business studies and applied law, with an ambition of becoming a barrister’s clerk.

 

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Getting a diagnosis of dyslexia in Year 7, Rose Turnell was determined to not let it get in the way of her dreams.

Working with her teachers, she simply found new ways of learning that suited her.

She swapped white paper for yellow, kept lists of things she needed to do to help her to focus and took extra time for tasks – all tactics she will take on with her as she starts a BTEC course in art as she strives for her dream of becoming a costume designer.

This week, she collected a Grade 8 in art, along with one Grade 5, four Grade 4 and two Grade 3 in her GCSEs.

Rose, said: “I found out I had dyslexia in Year 7 when I had problems with spelling, concentration and time-management.

“I wanted to achieve, but I had to do it in my own way.

“In art, my teacher was also dyslexic and so she knew how I needed to learn and in science, we would watch a lot of the course content as I learn better visually.”

Serife Horner, SENCo, said: “Rose’s dyslexia has actually been a real motivator for her over the years. Her tenacity and passion to succeed is mirrored by some excellent results. Rose will now be able to pursue her artistic next steps at college.

“She has a bright future and will grace the creative industries in the future, I am certain!”