A STUDENT has battled through the difficulties of dyslexia to achieve eight GCSEs.

Abbie Fraser, 16, of Maltings Academy in Witham, has battled with dyslexia since primary school where her behaviour began to decline.

With the support put in place by Maltings in Year 7, Abbie went on to achieve impressive GCSE results, taking home one A, five Bs and two Cs.

Abbie, who wants to be a criminal defence lawyer, said: "I was not expecting those results at all. I was hoping to get good grades as I’ve worked so hard, staying at school all the time I could.

"Maltings gave me all the help I needed; I had a reader and a scribe for my exams and a helper in lessons which meant if I struggled with a word they could help so I didn’t go off track and get distracted by it. I could just focus on learning.

"The fact I’m going on to do A-level English is crazy; I didn’t think I could ever do that. I feel so proud of myself.

Now full of confidence, she is heading to Witham Sixth Form to study A-level English and business, along with BTEC media and IT.

Proud mum Nadine is "over-the-moon".

She said: "Abbie had a difficult start and we didn’t think she would stay in school as she hated it.

"Maltings Academy were brilliant. We had endless meetings and Abbie was given the help she needed and has gone on from there.

"She would not have been so focused without their help. She was so determined in the end with her learning.

"She has done really well and earned great results. I am really proud of her."