A DYSLEXIC teenager has quit school to concentrate on a career as a top show-jumper.

Sarah Needham, 14, of Brownedge Road, Bamber Bridge, was pulled out of Balshaws High after falling behind in class.

The youngster suffers from learning difficulties and has struggled to cope in mainstream education for most of her school life.

But since the age of seven she has picked up dozens of medals for horse riding and has just come back from Ireland where she came first in the Grand Prix showjumping event with her horse Diego The Third.

Now her parents John, 40, and Karen 38, have taken Sarah out of school to educate her at home following talks with Balshaws' headteacher Jo Venn and Sarah's head of year, William Johnston.

Mr Needham said: "The fact is that Sarah is never really going to become a lawyer or doctor. She loves horses and has a real talent as a showjumper."

At ten, Sarah was statemented as special needs and received extra leaning support while a pupil at Farington County Primary, Rose Street.

But her education was still suffering after moving on to the high school in Church Road, Leyland.

She was in the lower sets for most subjects and in special needs classes for English and mathematics.

Recently, a Local Education Authority officer told her parents, who have three other daughters in mainstream education, that Sarah has dyslexia.

A mutual agreement was reached between the school and Sarah's parents before the LEA were informed about their decision eight weeks ago.

She now studies in the morning and spends afternoons riding, taught by British Show Jumping and European Pony Club trainer Alan Fazakerley.

Mr Needham said: "Sarah was in the lower stream at school and other pupils were disrupting her.

"She was trying very hard but swimming against the tide.

"Her problems were addressed in school but the word dyslexia wasn't mentioned until we met an LEA officer."

The LEA have already visited the family at home and will monitor Sarah's education until she is 16.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "We do not promote children being taught at home as we provide an education service for all children in the county.

"If parents choose to teach their children at home, that is their legal right.

"The child must be registered with the LEA's out-of-school support service 'Education Otherwise than at School' and parents must show that suitable education is taking place."

Sarah is just one of 200 children, across the county, being taught at home.

Sarah said: "I have lots of friends, so I don't mind not going to school. I really wanted to concentrate on jumping.

"I love it and would like to do it professionally."