The quiet Kettering schoolgirl at the centre of coronavirus vaccine hopes

In September 1973 a new year group joined Kettering High School for Girls.

Among them, wearing the navy blue uniform with a red and white tie, was Sarah Gilbert. She was quiet, hard-working and extremely intelligent.

She passed nine O-Levels, including an incredible six As. Fellow pupils knew she would succeed.

Fast forward to April 2020 and not only is she now Professor Sarah Gilbert, but the world's hopes of a vaccine for the Covid-19 pandemic rest on her shoulders. As professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford, her team is leading the immunisation race.

Human trials for the vaccine started yesterday (Thursday) and Prof Gilbert told The Times she was "80 per cent" sure it would work. If the Government pumps in enough money, she believes it could be ready for the public by September - miles ahead of the 18-month wait predicted by most scientists.

But it was at the Lewis Road school that she realised she wanted to work in science.

Fellow pupil Jane Badger recalled her saying how much she was looking forward to going to the University of East Anglia, where she studied biological sciences.

She said: "I liked her - she was quiet and determined and one of those people who just got on with things without a fuss."

Growing up, Prof Gilbert attended Park Road Junior School before passing her 11+ to gain a place at the selective girls' school.

She was part of a musical family, with her mum Hazel involved with the town's operatic society. Prof Gilbert, now 58, played the oboe in the school's orchestra.

Michele Stock, nee King, was in the orchestra with her and played the flute.

She said: "Sarah was a very studious, hard-working girl and kept her head down and did her work.

"She was one of life's nice people. There was nothing that anyone could dislike about her."

A spokesman for the Kettering High School for Girls reunion group added: "We are all very proud of Sarah's achievements.

"We all remember her as a very studious, quiet, clever and polite girl.

"Her hard work and studies have obviously now paid off and we wish her all the best. Well done Sarah."

You only have to look at Prof Gilbert's CV to see what a remarkable woman she is.

After completing her degree she studied for for a PhD at the University of Hull.

She held jobs in the East Midlands before returning to academia and rising through the ranks.

She was given a senior position in a lab in Oxford in 1994. Just one year after giving birth to triplets she became a university lecturer in 1999 and then a university reader in 2004.

In 2007 she received a flu vaccine development project grant and was made a professor in 2010. And she then led the development and testing of the universal flu vaccine, which underwent clinical trials in 2011.

Now she is leading the team that has been working since January on a vaccine for Covid-19, which has contributed to more than 180,000 deaths worldwide including 78 at Kettering General Hospital.

Human trials are under way after the condensed timeline was reduced from about five years to three months.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, she said: "Nobody can be absolutely sure it’s possible to produce a successful vaccine, that’s why we have to do trials to find out.

"I think the prospects are very good but, clearly, it’s not completely certain."

It was an interview that gave the nation hope and she won plaudits from commentators on social media for her precision.

One said: "Great interview given here by Professor Sarah Gilbert. Concise, honest and to the point, giving viewers the information they want to know in under a minute. Here’s an expert who knows what she’s talking about."

Another said: "Sometimes TV gives us access to brilliance. Professor of vaccinology, Sarah Gilbert, leading on a vaccination for Covid on @MarrShow this morning at 9.17 stunningly clear. Worth watching."

Earlier this month in an interview with The Times she said: “Some people can do the best thing by staying at home and not going out to meet their friends, some people can help their neighbours with shopping and leave it on their doorstep.

"There are healthcare workers who are working extremely hard, sometimes without proper personal protective equipment.

“What we can do is make a vaccine — so that’s what we’re doing.”

If the vaccine proves to be successful, that quiet Kettering schoolgirl may save thousands of lives.