A YORK school sixth form pupil said getting her university placement was a ‘dream’ after a mental health diagnosis earlier this year.

Erin Greenley, from Haxby, collected her A-level results from The Joseph Rowntree School this morning (August 15).

Her grades, secured in photography, and health and social care - sealing a placement at York St John to read for a degree in Education, SEN and mental health – were achieved following an autism diagnosis in January.

Erin said: “I’m really happy.

“I was scared when the diagnosis came in.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to do my exams or my coursework.

“I was near the end of my course but I had quite a bit left to do – about six units and I ended up getting a one-month extension for them.”

Erin's mum Helen, who was with her daughter at the New Earswick school, said: “She was really poorly, she was signed off sick by her doctor at one point, so the exam board gave back those days covered by the sick note.”

Helen was alongside Erin as each paid tribute to the support from the school staff in fighting for the pupil’s coursework extensions.

Helen said: “They really fought to get the time back, and managed to get it.

“Ms Edgar did welfare checks with me, she would ring me and ask how Erin was.

“They were emailing and constantly kept us updated on where they were at, what they were hoping to do for her, and they worked really hard to get her through this, really hard.”

Ms Julia Edgar with Erin outside the school on results day (August 15)Ms Julia Edgar with Erin outside the school on results day (August 15) (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Deputy lead in sixth form Ms Julia Edgar said: “We’re proud of all our students, and also proud that we can explore outcomes for everybody and we can also offer individual support.

“We’re thrilled that Erin is going on to York St John.”

Erin said her diagnosis didn’t alter her attitude to her goals.

She said: “Throughout the autism assessment I had it in my head that there would be different outcomes, so I had time to plan my thinking, although it helped me understand why I feel how I feel sometimes.”

Helen said: “When she got her assessment she was relieved, you could tell, there was a lot of pressure on and it made us realise why she struggled to absorb stuff sometimes, which has helped us now.

“We’re just dead proud of her, dead proud.”

Mum and daughter both thought Erin's journey to this point could offer some basis and foundation for the course she is taking, where currently she is most looking forward to the placement element of the course.