Student's "amazing" exam success (From News Shopper)

Student's "amazing" exam success

9:50am Tuesday 9th September 2008 in

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With just one week remaining until entries to the News Shopper's Our Young Stars awards close, DAVID MILLS hears about a nominee for the academic achievement category.

IT is often said, especially in the media, that GCSEs and A-levels are much easier than they used to be.

But Jessica Stuart's achievement of one A* and eight A grades came after she had lost her 17-year-old brother Adam to meningitis in October last year.

The pupil at Colfe's School, Horn Park Lane, Lee has been nominated for the academic achievement category of the Our Young Stars awards.

Understandably, the 16-year-old was devastated by Adam's death, which makes the success in her exams all the more remarkable and poignant.

Her proud mother Sonia Ennals, who nominated Jessica, said: "She has had such a traumatic time, it's a minor miracle she's done very well.

"I'm absolutely staggered.

"She was under enormous pressure and in spite of everything she got amazing results."

The 54-year-old added: "There were days with so many tears and emotions that I really wondered if she would make it through the exams at all.

"I am incredulous at this joyful, unexpected and much deserved outcome."

Not only did Jessica manage to get her head down and study for her GCSEs, she found time to support a friend in her class who had lost his brother to a brain tumour.

Jessica, who lives in Southend Crescent, Eltham, has also spent a lot of time organising fundraising events and has helped raise more than £10,000 for the Meningitis Trust, a charity that supports people affected by the condition.

Ms Ennals, who works for a construction company that builds schools across London, says Jessica was very close to her brother.

She said: "His death was catastrophic, he died in 24 hours, it was completely unexpected.

"He got meningitis and died in a day.

"We didn't recognise the symptoms until it was too late."

Jessica is currently doing her A-levels and hopes to become a psychologist when she is older to work with young people.