Hannah Morgan | Dressage Rider

I was born extremely premature which resulted in me being visually impaired and I have always had health issues. I was often hospitalised and I struggled to make progress at school because of my ill health. Then in 2015, I had my left lung removed. I got stronger and healthier. Although I went on to a large mainstream high school with a unit for visual impairment, it became evident that it was overwhelming. I struggled to access the curriculum and moving around the building tired me easily – I would end up anxious and tearful by the end of the day. I would come home and need to spend hours alone in my bedroom with my headphones on.

I collapsed during a history class; I was taken to hospital, but the clinicians couldn’t find an explanation. My parents made the decision to home educate me, they researched the options available for home education and found out about King’s InterHigh on a home educating social media group. It seemed a perfect fit. It gave me the structure and routine I needed having Asperger’s Syndrome and the curriculum was accessible with my visual impairment.

I started King’s InterHigh and it soon became evident that I could excel academically. I am able to independently log in and using the accessible features on my computer and I can navigate the system using an enlarger. If I miss a lesson because of a medical appointment, I can catch up easily by watching the lesson recording. The most delightful experience was when I read a poem in English and my peers all thought it was a YouTube recording! I have a unique voice from a vocal cord palsy, but I was made to feel rather awesome.

I am able to train three times a week on my pony, Willow. After winning both my classes at the regional qualifier at Hickstead this year, I am off to Hartpury in July for the National Championships. After that, I am going to attempt British Para-Dressage. My dream and ambition are to compete in the Paralympics. There has been no conflict with school, and I can happily train and study without missing any lessons or getting anxious. My improved stamina has helped my academia too.

For the first time in my school career, I can complete homework independently. My access to literacy is better than when I was in a unit for visual impairment. I was considered too academically able for a moderate learning difficulty school, but the provision in a mainstream school was not at a level appropriate to meet my needs. Now I feel confident enough to start planning my further education.

Thank you King’s InterHigh, you rock!