Sarah Ferguson's Childhood School Report Reveals 'Erratic' Behaviour at Age 12
A rare school report from 1972 has surfaced, describing a young Sarah Ferguson as "erratic" in both work and behaviour at the age of 12. The former Duchess of York, then a weekly boarder at the prestigious Hurst Lodge School in Ascot, was noted by her teachers as enthusiastic but lacking direction.
Academic Struggles and Personal Turmoil
The report, obtained by The Times, states: "Although enthusiastic and anxious to please... Sarah has not yet learned to channel her energies in the right direction. Both work and behaviour are erratic and she needs to exercise greater control over both." This insight comes amid revelations about Ferguson's academic record and personal challenges during her school years.
In 2024, a leaked document showed that Ferguson left Hurst Lodge School with only two O-Level qualifications, despite previous claims of six. She achieved an A in spoken English and a C in art, but received Ds in English language, English literature, and biology, while failing French and geography. Annual fees at the school were approximately £3,000 at the time.
A source close to the Duchess commented to The Mail on Sunday: "Academic qualifications are not the be-all and end-all and the Duchess is a firm believer in the importance of emotional intelligence and kindness. She has always been very open about her lack of a formal education and never made any claims to the contrary."
Personal Struggles and Family Drama
Behind the scenes, Ferguson's personal life was marked by turmoil. In her 1996 autobiography My Story, she confessed: "My mind was anywhere but on studies in the summer of 1974. Mathematics eluded me, and I laboured on my English but couldn't concentrate."
Her mother, Susan Ferguson, left the family in 1972 after falling in love with Argentine polo player Héctor Barrantes. According to Andrew Lownie's book Entitled, this separation had a "profound effect on Sarah, who blamed herself for the divorce, took to comfort eating and put on weight." Lownie added that Ferguson later claimed to suffer from insecurity, worthlessness, and difficulty forming stable relationships.
Tragically, Susan died in a road accident in September 1998, which The Daily Mail described as the "Darkest day for Fergie."
Learning Difficulties and School Success
Ferguson has also spoken openly about her learning difficulties. In her book Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, she wrote: "I had myself evaluated by experts who confirmed I am ADHD and moderately impaired by dyscalculia [difficulty in understanding numbers]."
Despite these obstacles, Ferguson described herself as "very successful" at school. She served as head girl in 1976, a role she equated to "class president," and was the winning netball captain. She recalled being "gregarious and dramatic with a flair for stirring up mischief."
After leaving Hurst Lodge at 16, Ferguson attended Queen's Secretarial College in London. A classmate, Charlotte Eden, remembered: "We were both dunces at shorthand and typing. We used to sit at the back of the class and giggle." Ferguson later worked temporary jobs and at a PR firm.
Contrast with Prince Andrew's School Days
The revelations about Ferguson's childhood come as her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, faces scrutiny in the Epstein scandal. Andrew attended Heatherdown Preparatory School in Ascot from age eight, where he gained a reputation as a bully or, as his father Prince Philip called him, "a natural boss."
A 1969 Royal Family documentary portrayed Andrew as a "lively, cheerful boy" with a "touch of the daredevil." However, contemporaries recalled him as "cocky" and insistent on being called "Prince" by peers. One fellow pupil, Mr Jackson, recounted challenging Andrew by declaring himself a "King," which "seemed to shut him up."
Current Turmoil and Mental Health Struggles
Friends of Ferguson have revealed that she is currently "in a bad way" and feels "everyone is out to get her" following Prince Andrew's arrest in connection with the Epstein scandal. The former Duchess, who has not been seen publicly for five months, reportedly checked into the Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, a wellness facility costing £13,000 per day.
A royal source told The Daily Mail: "She sounds in a bad way. She's been telling people she is really suffering with her mental health and thinks everyone is out to get her. But at the same time she is adamant that she wants to get out there and start earning money again."
Despite speculation, Ferguson has ruled out writing a tell-all book about the family's ties to Epstein, though she may have to disclose details to authorities. Her brand is considered "toxic," and she may seek financial opportunities abroad, potentially in the UAE, while abandoning plans for a home near her daughters in Windsor.
