Fatima’s Story

“To the donors who supported my place, thank you for allowing me to have an environment that felt like family and giving me a gift which is truly lifelong.”

In 2016, Fatima joined Loughborough High School Sixth Form to study Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology, thanks to the generous support of the Old Girls’ Association and our alumnae community. Coming from one of the lowest-performing schools in her area, she found an entirely new environment where academic ambition was celebrated, not criticised. “At my old school, if I showed a lot of interest in a subject, I was labelled as weird. At the High School, academic enjoyment was the norm,” Fatima recalls.

Her years at LHS were filled with rich experiences and challenges. She joined clubs like Young Enterprise, where her team won numerous awards, and debate, which helped her build confidence and develop leadership skills. However, during her first year, Fatima faced a severe health challenge that hospitalised her for months. It affected her exams and her summer, leaving her worried she might lose her place. But LHS stood by her. “The then Headteacher, Mrs Byrom, came into hospital to check on me. She assured me that I didn’t need to worry about finances or grades – the school would support me.”

LHS worked closely with her NHS care team to ensure Fatima’s well-being, even arranging therapy sessions on campus to fit her schedule. With their support, she bounced back, achieving outstanding grades of A*AA and securing two medical school offers – a remarkable feat after such a difficult period. “Sometimes it’s scary to believe in yourself for things that you didn’t think previously possible – but that is where the biggest achievements and most fulfilment comes from.”

Fast forward to today, Fatima has achieved her dream of becoming a doctor. She completed medical school and earned two prestigious awards, including the Dean’s Prize for Academic Achievement. Alongside her medical career, Fatima launched a language-learning start-up, Our Spoken Arabic, to help Diaspora Arabs and others reconnect with their heritage through language.

Reflecting on her journey, Fatima is grateful to the donors who made her education at LHS possible. “Thank you for allowing me to have an environment that felt like family and giving me a truly lifelong gift.”

Congratulations to Dr Fatima Camp, and thanks to everyone who helps make pupils’ dreams a reality!