Realistically, I guess we never thought we would see the day when she would return to school

Sally's mum Bridget Slater

Sally says her favourite part of school was writing, and she was looking forward to composing essays.

Sally's parents Jon and Bridget described the last months as a "real rollercoaster".

Mrs Slater said: "Realistically, I guess we never thought we would see the day when she would return to school.

"Obviously there was a time when we thought this would never happen.

"We think she is up to going back to school, but if Sally feels she isn't up to it at any time then she will come back home."

Mrs Slater added: "The last few months have felt like a long time, but the summer has flown by.

"She's a lot better than she was, physically. Although she is not 100% she is getting there.

"But she always has the risk of catching an infection because her immune system has been suppressed for so long."

Sally was close to death

Sally's condition deteriorated rapidly after she contracted a mystery virus which brought on cardiomyopathy.

She was moved from a unit in Leeds to the regional heart centre at the Freeman Hospital on March 21.

Four days later, doctors there fitted her with a revolutionary plastic artificial heart to buy more time for a donor to be found.

Sally has had regular check-ups ever since to monitor her progress, and doctors have been delighted with the recovery she has made.

She celebrates her birthday in two week's time.