THE HEADTEACHER’S CREDIT VALUES AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO ELLEN FORD IN YEAR 8 

Ellen was nominated by Mr Hughes who said: “During the last week of the summer break Ellen came off her bike and broke both wrists. After an operation on the 26th August she had a full cast on her right wrist with the left being a buckle fracture and in a splint. Clearly this presented Ellen with huge problems, but she returned to school on time on the first day back and every day since has displayed a positive, determined willingness to do the best she possibly can in everything she does. At no point have I seen any self-pity or excuses, just a drive to get on and try her best. 

I received the message below from one of her teachers last week which sums up the type of student Ellen is: “I have the occasional pleasure of teaching Ellen; I believe that you are her tutor 

Ellen progresses towards full recovery after her cycle accident – the one that broke both wrists. 

Despite this obvious and major impairment, Ellen has continued to show an unfailingly positive attitude in my lessons. Her determination to progress has seen her input at least some work on to her laptop and then send it to me by e-mail. I would never ask or require this from a student with two broken wrists! This determination and self- discipline speak volumes for Ellen’s attitude. 

In one lesson she asked to go twenty minutes early. When I enquired why she explained that she had a music lesson – on the Euphonium!” 

Ellen has deserved this award every week since she started in Year 7 (as do so many of the quietly brilliant students at Richmond) but her reaction to adversity during the last month has been remarkable.”