A SINGLE mum who spectacularly failed her English exams at school has finally made the grade – winning a short story competition.

Hayley Houghton overcame sleepless nights and the stress of caring for two tots under two, to beat hundreds of others in the South Essex College competition.

Now the success of her off-the-wall story, One Fine Day, has inspired Hayley, 22, to return to education in the hope of training as a midwife.

Hayley, of Station Road, Wickford, wrote her story in odd, precious spare moments in the evenings after one-year-old daughter, Phillipa, and son, Hayden, who is almost two, were in bed.

She entered the competition while studying two days a week on a Skills for Life course at the college’s site in Nethermayne, Basildon.

After leaving Billericay School, Hayley, held down several administrative jobs.

She said: “I left school with only a couple of GCSEs, none of them A to C grades. I totally failed my GCSE English. I just wasn’t any good at it.

“But since I’ve had a family I’ve realised I wanted to better myself, so I enrolled at the college as an adult learner.

“The course has enabled me to go back and study English and maths, so I can get the equivalent GCSEs.

“I was so surprised to find out I’d won the short story contest. I never thought I had a chance of winning. It has really boosted my confidence.”

She won the £25 book token in the Skills for Life short story contest, which was open to students based in Basildon, Southend and Thurrock.

Her 1,000-word story concerned a woman who anticipates the arrival of a parcel, only to find the package is not real, but is a dream.

In September, Hayley will start an Access to Health Professions course at the college, aiming for a nursing career.

She added: “I would encourage other women in my situation not to let anyone or anything hold you back. If you want to learn, then make it happen!”

Her tutor, Sarah Fulton, said: “All the judges were captivated by Hayley’s story and impressed by her characterisation and imagination.”