Lily Rose shows fantastic determination to exceed all expectations

As students wiped tears of joy from their eyes after opening their GCSE results, for one Driffield girl it was a particularly special moment.

Although some of her peers may have achieved higher grades, Lily Rose Botham surely deserves to be top of the class at Driffield School & Sixth Form.

For 2022 marks a decade since the 16-year-old underwent proton therapy at Oklahoma Proton Center after suffering from stage 3 ependymoma, a rare type of tumour that can form in the brain or spinal cord.

Having had all harmful cancers removed, Lily Rose returned to school less than six months later, but was left with memory problems and a weakness down her right side.

As such, remembering two years’ worth of learning for her final exams was her worst nightmare.

Thankfully for Lily Rose, her subjects were streamlined to the core maths, English and science, where, having attended additional revision sessions, she achieved a 4 in English Language, maths and science.

These grades were higher than her predicted 2s and means she can begin a course in childcare at Bishop Burton College in September.

“I honestly didn’t think that I would pass maths and English,” said a delighted Lily Rose, who lives in Driffield.

“The teachers pushed me to do my best and allowed me to just take the core subjects.

“I was only predicted 2s, so when I saw those 4s on my results sheet there were tears of joy.

“I was very happy to have passed my exams and now I will start a childcare course at Bishop Burton.

“I have always loved children and I think it stems from babysitting for my neighbours and I’m also looking forward to starting work at a nursery.”

Mum Tracy said that she cannot thank Driffield School enough for its support of Lily Rose.

“The teachers understood Lily’s memory problems and weakness on her right-hand side, allowing her to work on a laptop over the last two years,” she told the Wolds Weekly.

“Having to remember two years’ worth of work, with her memory issues, before sitting an exam, was her worst case scenario.

“However, the teachers were amazing and allowed her just to take the core subjects, supporting her right the way through.

“After Lily’s treatment, she saw a neuropsychologist who predicted how the illness and radiotherapy would affect her long-term.

“For my husband and I, Lily just completing school was a huge thing for us.

“Lily attended the Year 11 Prom in July and now she’s passed her exams she needs to go onto her childcare course.

“This has been a big year for us in terms of marking 10 years since her treatment and this has topped it all off.”

Lily Rose added: “I was delighted to go to the prom.

“I really enjoyed it and it was nice to be able to spend time with friends I might not see as much in the future when I attend Bishop Burton.”

Vicky Loftus, deputy headteacher at Driffield School & Sixth Form, said Lily Rose worked tirelessly for her results and should be proud of her achievements.

She said: “Lily is an incredibly hard working and conscientious student.

“She has shown real determination throughout her studies at Driffield School and, despite everything that she has had to overcome in relation to her health, she has worked tirelessly to prepare for her GCSEs.

“During Year 11, she has attended at least three hours of after school revision sessions every week in preparation for her examinations.

“It was a real pleasure to see her beaming smile as she opened her results last Thursday, knowing that she had surpassed her targets in all of her core subjects.

“Lily should be so proud of her amazing achievements and we wish her the best of luck for the future!”

Lily Rose was in Year 2 at Driffield Northfield Infant School when she first became ill.

What appeared to be a stomach bug in October 2011 turned into constant stomach pains and headaches which hadn’t improved two months later.

Tracy knew something was wrong when her daughter didn’t want to open her presents on Christmas Day.

“Lily was referred to a paediatrician shortly before Christmas in 2011 and we were waiting for an appointment when she was really ill,” explained Tracy.

“Her headaches were so bad that she had to permanently wear sunglasses as any light was too painful for her eyes.

“She didn’t want to open her presents on Christmas Day, so after the bank holiday, we took her to the doctors and were told straight away that something was wrong neurologically.

“Within 12 hours, she was having surgery in Leeds hospital.

“We were offered traditional radiotherapy, but it could have left Lily with long-term issues such as permanent deafness.

“I’d seen something on television about proton therapy and how it didn’t travel as deep into the brain.

“It wasn’t readily available in the UK but was in America and thankfully Lily met the NHS’ strict criteria which qualified us for funding which covered the costs of flights, accommodation and treatment.

“We spent eight weeks in Oklahoma and it was a really difficult decision on what to do, as at the time, Lily’s three siblings were all very young too and I had to leave them all with my husband.”

Lily Rose returned home in spring 2012, rejoining her classmates at Northfield School that April.

She remains in touch with two other children who underwent treatment at the same time, with one coming over from Manchester recently to spend time with her and her family.

Although remembering little about her time at Oklahoma Proton Center, Lily Rose does remember day trips to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Science Museum Oklahoma.

After reaching this incredible milestone, she outlined her plans for the future.

“Short-term, I am looking forward to starting my college course and meeting new friends,” Lily Rose said.

“Eventually, I would like to become a full-time staff member at a nursery.”