A school report from 1972 has revealed that Sarah Ferguson, then aged 12, was described as 'erratic' by her teachers at Hurst Lodge School in Ascot. The report stated: '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.'
The former Duchess of York, now 66, was a weekly boarder at the prestigious school in the 1970s. Despite her outgoing nature and involvement in sport, the report highlights challenges in her early education. In 2024, a leaked document showed she left the school with only two O-Level qualifications, contrary to earlier claims of six.
Ferguson has spoken openly about her struggles, including being diagnosed with ADHD and dyscalculia. In her 1996 book My Story, she wrote: '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 personal life was also affected by her parents' separation in 1972, which she later said led to feelings of insecurity and worthlessness. Despite academic obstacles, Ferguson served as head girl in 1976 and described herself as 'very successful' at school.
