A trainee teacher has overcome brain surgery to be shortlisted for a top education award.

Lucy Arman, who studied for her degree in Canterbury, is battling an on-going health issue which scuppered her own sporting aspirations.

It was while she was captaining Kent Girls Cricket squad, that she was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation – a condition where the brain is pushed downwards against the spine, causing pain, weakness and mobility issues.

But while her personal sporting ambitions were dashed, it has not stopped her helping young people to flourish.

And now she has been named as finalist in the British Education Awards and will be heading to Manchester for the ceremony today where the winners will be announced. She will formally collect her degree the following day at Canterbury College.

With the support of Christ Church University, Lucy, 26, achieved a BA in Physical Education and Physical Activity and is now studying for Qualified Teacher Status via School Direct at Simon Langton Girls.

She said: “During my time at Christ Church, I have had to deal with many health complications which unfortunately disrupted my university studies.

“I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for the support of my amazing university friends and lecturers, I would not have completed my three years and finished with the results that I did.

“They made me realise that no matter what you go through in life, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Her degree programme Alison Carney said: “Lucy is a first-class student who, by following her dreams and remaining resilient despite extreme personal adversity, has achieved much more than just her degree classification.”

Despite her health complications, Lucy undertook her foundation and top-up degrees while head of PE at St Faith’s Prep School in Ash. She has since become the under-13 girls squad coach with Kent Community Cricket, part of Kent County Cricket Club.

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