A determined teenager has bagged top A* grades and a place at Cambridge – despite having dyslexia and dyspraxia.
Chuffed Penny Banks, 17, scored A*s in Maths, Economics and Physics and will take up a place at Girton College Cambridge to study Land Economy.
Penny, of Taunton, Somerset, puts her success down wearing ear plugs in her exams to help her concentrate.
“I was finding it really difficult to concentrate in exams and now wear ear plugs – something I would never have thought of – so that I can sub vocalise better and block out any exterior sounds,” said Penny, who also has handwriting problems.
“I can’t think in a straight line and find it really difficult to write fluidly but the support at school has really made a difference.”
The pupil at Queen’s College in Taunton added: “I am so excited about going to Cambridge this autumn and cannot wait to get stuck into my course.
“I know that my parents are really proud that despite my learning difficulties I have managed to gain a place at the top university in the country.”
Is that really the best picture you took? Not only is it seriously unflattering, but there’s also clearly a poor lass crying in the background. Poor effort.