Holly beats the odds to get an offer from Oxford

A SIXTH former from Warrington has received an offer from Oxford University – despite having dyslexia.
Holly Roach, who studies A-Levels at Priestley College, now has the chance to study a four-year Masters course in Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular).
She said: “I’ve always been really motivated so when I was told I had dyslexia I was determined to try and overcome it.
“My parents found a course called the Dore Programme which involved doing physical exercises every day for two years. All the extra hours I’ve put in and the support I’ve had from my parents and tutors has been worth it.”
Originally teachers thought Holly was on course for Cs and Ds in her GCSEs, but she developed a way of learning that worked for her and left Bridgewater High School with eight A* and three As at GCSE.
This was despite being told at the age of 12 that the muscles in her eyes were the equivalent to those of a 40-year-old. Holly visited a specialist and had to do specific eye exercises every day for a year.
Holly read a beginners’ guide to genetics when she was just 14, and went on to develop an interest in epigenetics – the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
As well as studying A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, Holly also took the Graduate programme at Priestley, which is designed to help the most able students secure places at Russell Group universities.
Last year Holly was named one of the UK’s outstanding students in recognition of her academic achievements as well as the contribution she makes to the Warrington community including as a young leader with the Brownies, involvement with the Scouts and as a Kumon Maths and English teaching assistant.
As well as her studies Holly also has to fit in 30 minutes of exercises every day to help her cope with scoliosis, a condition that causes her spine to bend to the side.
“I think all the setbacks have just made me more focused and more determined. I just hope I now get the grades I need at A-Level in order to pursue my dreams and go to Oxford University,” she said.
Priestley principal Matthew Grant said: “Holly is a real inspiration, not just to people with dyslexia, but to everyone.
“She has worked hard to achieve her offer from Oxford at the same time as making a massive contribution to both the college and Warrington community as a whole.”