Kentish Express Ashford & District
Rose’s story inspiring youngsters
John Wallis teachers hope to arrange visit
Rose Ayling-Ellis is continuing to inspire pupils at her former school in Ashford – a month after lifting the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball.
The actress, who became the hit show’s first deaf contestant, is known for playing Frankie Lewis, the daughter of Danny Dyer’s character Mick Carter, in EastEnders.
She grew up in Hythe but went to The John Wallis Academy – previously Christ Church – where she was the deputy head girl during her time in Year 11.
When it was announced Rose would be appearing on the show, teachers who remembered the 27-year-old for her ‘charm and determination’ shared stories of her in assemblies.
Staff and pupils watched her perform with dance partner Giovanni Pernice every week, she featured in numerous school newsletters, and became all people could talk about on Monday mornings following the hype of the show.
Since her win, pupils have been asking teachers for sign language classes while others are using her success to fuel their passions for dance.
Vice-principal head of middle school Katie Walton, who met Rose in 2010 when the academy opened, said: “We do lots of clubs after school and the Year 8s in particular were very keen on getting a sign language club set up which I’m trying to do at the moment. Pupils were so inspired by her.
“The show’s line-up came out quite early on so we started the year in September talking about her in assemblies.
“Mr Twyman, our RE teacher, remembered her and Mr Bean remembered her art project.
“We remember how vibrant she was. She was really determined at whatever she put her mind to and she was a really lovely, genuine person.
“What you see on TV is exactly what you get in real life.
“We’re going to see if we can get Rose and Giovanni in to dance, or even see if Rose can come back and give a talk.”
A picture of Rose with her Year 11 classmates even sits in the school’s restaurants alongside the year groups that followed.
While Rose’s story connected with most, those with hidden disabilities and passions for performing were particularly encouraged.
Year 10 pupil Lily-Clare Slade hopes to become a jockey when she leaves school and trains twice a week.
She said watching Rose only inspired her more as she also has a hidden disability.
The 14-year-old said: “At first people might not know Rose is deaf, so as a person with hidden disabilities myself, to see her do so well, and actually win the competition really inspired me in what I do.
“I’m quite into sports and I want to become a jockey but hip problems can be quite restrictive but it has encouraged me to keep going.
“It shows that even if you do have an everyday background you can do amazing things.”
Evie Godfrey is studying drama, music and biology in the school’s sixth form and hopes to one day take her acting skills to the West End.
The 17-year-old said watching Rose’s success knowing her background has been a huge motivation.
She said: “I’m quite a big fan of Strictly, I’ve been watching it for as long as I can remember so to hear she came from my school was really cool to find out.
“I found it inspirational from a performing arts point of view because I’m a drama student so I found her a great example that you can go big in the acting industry with an average background.”