A BRAVE teenager has managed to succeed at school despite nearly losing her sight.

Louise Millington of Kingsdown School, was one of many inspirational children recognised for their schooling success, often against the odds.

The 10th anniversary of these awards also brought the best results yet in school attendance.

The awards, sponsored by Capita, were either given for a 100 per cent attendance record over pupils' five years at secondary school or for overcoming difficulties during their education.

Louise's mother Linda, 47, paid tribute to her daughter's bravery and dedication to her schooling that saw her awarded for 100 per cent attendance despite numerous hospital appointments.

"Whatever she's had to go through she's never had a day off school," said Linda.

"To have achieved what she has done is remarkable."

Louise, 15, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in the last year of junior school. The condition causes sight loss and has led to Louise having tunnel vision and currently only 30 per cent of her vision.

The deterioration of Louise's eyesight has made her even more determined to go to New College.

She said her success was down to a mixture of personal strength, parental support and the help she received at school.

In total 16 children received a certificate along with vouchers for WHSmith and Swindon leisure.

Fellow pupil Rozanna Walecki, 16, of Kingsdown School, also picked up an award for attendance and believes she has only had two or three days off in the whole of her schooling.

She said: "I think it's very important because if you learn to do it now then it gets you in good practice for later life."

Nigel Pickering, social inclusion manager in Swindon Council's children's services department, said: "It's only right that the young people get recognised and it reflects on schools that they have done a good job. If you're there you can make the most of your potential."

Schools in Swindon have rated above the national average for attendance at 6.84 per cent absence in secondary schools and 5.1 per cent in primary schools.

Back to school after skipping lessons

TEENAGERS who were missing lessons have managed to turn their lives around.

Natasha Leggett, 16, had missed two years of school due to the bullying she endured at her previous school.

She said: "If you had a problem they didn't deal with it - they said live with it."

The abuse was verbal, but it left Natasha unwilling to go back to school and eventually to her mum appearing in court over her attendance.

"I just didn't want to go - I had a phobia of school," said Natasha.

"I was arguing with everybody I was living with - I was depressed and had to have counselling."

She is now much happier at Nova Hreod College, which has allowed her to come to lessons part-time because she could not deal with school full-time. She has got a job, but is considering training as a beautician at college.

Christina Morgan, 16, of Kingsdown School, had started truanting because all her friends were.

She said she had become adept at fiddling the system so by the time her mother found out the situation was out of control.

Even if Christina, who has had attendance problems at both Commonweal and Kingsdown schools, was taken to the gates she would find a way out.

After her mother Nicola Walters, 39, ended up in court over her absence, Christina had to be escorted to lessons by teachers.

However, as Christina began to catch up, she started to enjoy some of her lessons again and in her final year raised her results by two grades.

Christina now hopes to go to Swindon College and train as a midwife.

Nicola said: "I'm proud of her -it's an achievement with how bad it was and in the last year she turned it around and now she's got something to aim for."

Pupil awards

  • Riverside Centre: Luke Bennett Debbie May
  • St Joseph's Catholic School: Oliver Bond
  • Nova Hreod College: Natasha Leggett, Kerry Usher
  • Kingsdown School: Rozanna Walecki, Louise Millington, Christina Morgan
  • Commonweal School: Sophie Chan, Ka Ming Lee, James Daubney, Hollie Gassor, Dipesh Patel
  • Crowdys Hill School: Michael Frankow, Robin Luck
  • Warneford School: Thomas Falding