A second chance at education and life: Holly’s heart-warming story
Holly was 15 when a severe medical condition stopped her from attending school and caused her to miss out on her crucial GCSE years. Through Academy21, she was able to join our sister school, King’s InterHigh. Not only has she now successfully completed her GCSEs, but she also achieved incredible results, including an 8 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and a 7 in Maths and has been accepted into the college of her choice. Holly’s outlook is now very positive, she’s told us she’s grateful to her teachers for their support and that she is looking forward to continuing her education.
But Holly’s situation wasn’t always so positive. Looking back, her mother, Tina, recalls Holly’s difficult journey, and the impact Academy21 and King’s InterHigh had on Holly’s life.
Holly’s battle with severe illness
Three years ago, in 2021, Holly was dealing with a severe heart and liver condition that completely took over her life. As a 15-year-old girl, Holly would have had her plate full navigating Year 10 at her secondary school and dealing with the complexities of the teenage years.
But the severity of her medical condition made the trips to the hospital for treatment and appointments scarily frequent until in May 2021, a health crisis resulted in a three-month hospital stay. This was a very distressing time for her mother, Tina, particularly recalls the feeling of hopelessness in witnessing her daughter’s health deteriorate.
The only solution was a heart and liver transplant. But before Holly and her family could see the light at the end of the tunnel, they had to go through the process of applying for a referral, awaiting a decision, and only then joining the transplant waiting list.
“Three years ago, in May, she may not have lived. She wasn’t going to make it until Christmas. 3 years later, she is going strong. This school has been everything for us. I just want to thank you all, you have given Holly a future.”
Educational gaps and lack of support
In the meantime, and with health concerns taking over, Holly had to be kept out of school for prolonged periods. The situation was further aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, making it impossible for Holly to return to her regular school environment. At some point, the family even had to receive nurses at home, because she couldn’t physically attend appointments.
Holly’s current school at the time couldn’t provide the additional support she needed. Despite Holly’s eagerness to learn, the lack of support from her school meant she finished Year 11 without any qualifications and missed the majority of Year 10 and all of Year 11. ” She wanted to do all the GCSEs, but there was no way she could do any GCSE at all because she couldn’t get any learning,” Tina lamented.
Turning the page: A new chapter for Holly
Desperate to find an alternative, Tina made numerous phone calls seeking help. The search took months, until eventually she discovered Academy21 through a scheme available at her local authority.
Academy21 works closely with both schools and local authorities, offering online alternative provision and additional support to students who may have additional needs or unique circumstances.
Students can join Academy21 via a referral directly from their school or, in Holly’s case, from their local council. Once enrolled with us, students can access high-quality online alternative provision for Key Stage 3 and 4 through Academy21 provision, or Key Stage 2 to 5 online education via our sister school, King’s Interhigh, depending on their needs and circumstances.
Holly enrolled in our sister school, King’s InterHigh, because she wanted to study a broader range of GCSE subjects and sought an experience as close to mainstream education as possible, particularly in terms of class sizes and socialization. Due to our focus on supporting students with unique needs, Academy21’s class sizes are small and interactions are restricted. Therefore, it was agreed that King’s InterHigh was the best solution for providing Holly with the education and support she needed.
“It was unbelievable, it was like a dream come true,” Tina shared. Holly enrolled with us in 2022, after having missed a significant part of Year 10 and the entirety of Year 11 at her previous school. She stayed with us for two years, studying seven subjects through Year 10 and 11.
“It was unbelievable, it was like a dream come true.”
Joining Academy21 and King’s InterHigh
The first few steps were challenging. “The first few months were difficult. They were so much further than Holly was, and she struggled initially with the lessons and getting back into a school day,” Tina explained.
However, the flexibility of King’s InterHigh was a significant benefit. Holly could contact teachers directly, and lessons were recorded, allowing her to review them if she missed anything or needed extra help. “It was fantastic because she was registered as a ‘library learner’ initially. This meant that if she had a doctor’s appointment, we didn’t have to ring in and speak to the teachers, she could simply watch the recordings,” Tina noted.
This made Holly more at ease, knowing that she could follow through with her hospital appointments without feeling left out at school or fearing that she would miss out on her learning.
“It was a lifeline for us.” Holly’s engagement and dedication to her studies grew, and she started participating actively in her classes. “When she came to King’s, she put everything into it. This was her second chance, and she grabbed it with both hands,” Tina shared.
At this point, Holly was working evenings and weekends to give herself the best chances of recovering from her learning gaps and continuing her education. Despite the challenges, Holly’s progress was remarkable. She was able to complete her GCSEs, a feat that seemed impossible just a few months earlier.
The supportive environment at King’s InterHigh gave Holly the purpose and normalcy she desperately needed. “It gave her a purpose during the day; she was two years behind and needed something to make her feel ‘normal’,” Tina explained.
More than education, a future
King’s InterHigh’s impact extended beyond academics for Holly. She had missed out on social interactions as, due to her health, she couldn’t simply go out and meet people. At King’s Interhigh, she found a community and support system that helped her thrive. “This school has been everything for us. It made such a difference to our life. I don’t know what we would have done otherwise,” Tina shared gratefully.
Three years ago, Holly’s future looked uncertain. Her health was fragile, and educational opportunities seemed out of reach. However, through the support of Academy21 and King’s InterHigh’s education, Holly’s story transformed into one of resilience and achievement.
Not only did she manage to take all 14 exams across her seven chosen subjects (including Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and Physics), but she has been able to achieve excellent grades.
Holly has since attended an open day at college, where she was accepted based on her predicted grades. This is the same college her older brother is attending – and one that has always been on Holly’s plans. “Without King’s InterHigh, she couldn’t have gone to this college. It has given Holly a future; it has given her everything,” Tina emphasised.
Today, Holly is a testament to the power of determination and the impact of supportive educational environments. She is starting college, has learned to drive, and is even considering a future in the medical field. “She has worked so hard and has been so self-motivated. She is just an inspiration, so positive, so brilliant. Healthwise, she is stable now and wants an education and a future,” Tina proudly shared.
A mother’s words of gratitude
Reflecting on their journey, Tina expressed immense gratitude for the role that teachers and staff at Academy21 and King’s InterHigh played in Holly’s life. She is particularly thankful to her direct contact throughout Holly’s enrolment and journey with us, our colleague Sheila Mosley. “Sheila has just been a godsend to me. She has been there for us, has been brilliant at getting things moving and providing constant updates,” Tina shared. “This school changed Holly’s life. I really want everyone to know what a difference you have made”
Holly’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of accessible, flexible education for students facing significant challenges.
Huge congratulations to Holly on her incredible GCSE results and, most importantly, her hard work, determination, and perseverance over the last two years studying with us. The Academy21 team and all her teachers from King’s InterHigh wish her all the best in this exciting next chapter of her academic journey.
