A former head girl at St Clere’s School has switched courses from the traditional university route – to become an engineer.

Emily Hamlin, 17, from Hordon-on-the - Hill, is in her first year of an apprenticeship with Procter & Gamble, where she is the only girl in her class at South Essex College.

She said: “My parents were worried when I told them I was switching to an apprenticeship, but I explained it would open up more opportunities. I’m a lot happier!”