Iona battles anxiety to achieve success

A TEENAGER has overcome severe anxiety to celebrate top GCSE grades.

Ripon Grammar School student Iona O’Hare was so badly affected that, at one stage, her parents worried that the 16-year-old would be unable to sit her mocks or final exams.

But, thanks to sheer determination and hours of revision, Iona overcame her challenges even scoring grades 9 and 6 in maths and further maths, her toughest subjects.

Now the aspiring vet, who achieved three 9s, three 8s, two 7s and three 6s overall, is looking forward to studying biology, chemistry and English literature at A-level and an AS in maths.

Iona, from Ripon, is particularly pleased with her success in maths and further maths, having turned her weakest subject into one of her proudest achievements.

“I’m so happy to get these results and all that hard work has paid off. I’m especially proud of my maths grades – I suppose all those past papers were worth it!” she says.

She now hopes her story will inspire others who are battling anxiety or struggling with certain subjects.

“My advice is to always, always ask for help.” she says.

Iona has experienced anxiety for many years, often because she feared letting herself, others or the school down.

During Year 10 the attacks of anxiety became more frequent, especially in sporting fixtures and maths.

With the support of the RGS pastoral team, her teachers, friends and family she managed to keep attending her school fixtures and, demonstrating amazing resilience, resolved to persevere with further maths.

The teenager, who enjoys swimming, also managed to obtain her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award, a major turning point.

Her greatest achievement was being selected as a junior prefect: “I always feel proud to represent this school,” she says.