31 October, 2022
Lenny Rush, a Year 9 Student at Ormiston Rivers Academy, is currently starring in the hit BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?
On the show, Lenny plays Ollie the son of Daisy May Cooper’s character. Lenny has been acting since the age of seven and has worked on various TV projects, including the Tracey Beaker spin-off The Dumping Ground.
Despite the producers of Am I Being Unreasonable? not initially looking for a child with a disability, Lenny’s brilliant audition landed him the starring role. Lenny was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a condition that affects his growth. Throughout his work, Lenny has been a champion for disabled artists.
While filming the show, Lenny has also been working hard to keep up with his school learning. With his determination and the support of his teachers, including head of drama at the academy Karla Dallard, Lenny is continuing to do exceptionally well in each of his subjects.
In addition to his TV work, Lenny has also had various theatre roles and has worked at the Old Vic Theatre in London for a number of years. Lenny is also an access ambassador for the theatre, helping to highlight access requirements for disabled people.
Lenny has been a real inspiration at Ormiston Rivers Academy and even hosted the Ormiston Academies Trust annual conference last year.
Outside of acting, Lenny also enjoys taking part in cooking club at the academy, which has been made accessible for him to enjoy with his peers.
Lenny said: “I have really enjoyed being able to take part in the show, it has been a really great experience and it is so lovely to hear such positive feedback from those at the academy.
“My school studies are also incredibly important to me, and I am so happy to be able to continue achieving well in each of my lessons while I pursue my dream of acting.”
Joanne Williams, principal said: “We are so proud of Lenny for his truly fantastic achievements, he has been a real superstar and we have been so impressed by his dedication to stay up to date with all his schoolwork.
“He has been a real inspiration to our students, being a shining example of how hard work and strong ambition can enable you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.”
Category: News
