My sons and I have been on a bit of a journey over the past 16 years when it comes to Education. Both boys were born in Kings Heath just outside Birmingham, and I knew with the private school system firmly established that if they didn't pass the exam to get in to King Edwards then the prospect of school for them was likely to be quite poor. It was one of the driving forces that made us re locate to Glastonbury, in Somerset. When we arrived, we made friends with families who were choosing to Home Educate but, as a full time Head of English in a school in Bridgwater, this seemed a very daunting prospect despite the support. So, we kind of dangled a toe but never fully committed.
However it soon became clear that both my boys were anxious and school was a source of real distress. My eldest son's behaviour became a problem because he just never felt able to cope nor did he feel safe and happy at school. My youngest son became physically ill and quickly dropped to 50% attendance. I was constantly worrying about letters and phone calls over attendance and behavior. We were referred time and time again to CAMHS and then to the GP and told there was nothing they could do to help. Eventually, my eldest became so distressed and scared by school he came out of school and received medical tuition. He could manage no more the 45 minutes a day. Both my sons, despite me being a teacher, had become school refusers.
The day my youngest was physically carried, sobbing, into school by two members of staff - I gave up teaching.
i worked part time as a teaching assistant and in schools that catered for SEND students. Gradually, I saw that Education didn't have to be so regimented. It needed to FIT THE CHILD and it needed to be holistic. I was lucky enough to work at Shapwick School and saw the benefits of including education based around Occupational Therapy, Counselling and Speech and Language Therapy. I saw the positive effects of focusing on helping children to understand and manage emotions and practical skills not just passing exams.
That's why we are here - Shapwick School went into liquidation and there are lots of staff and therapists, just like me, who have seen and managed their own children and who want to support students who have been left without a school.
We have been there - and we want to help; we want to help the whole family because it's as hard being the parent as it is being the child and because sometimes we all need some support.
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Hi,I've worked in Education for over eight years and have a really broad range of experience which make s me really enthusiastic about working in lots of different ways. I have taught a variety of subjects but specialise in Science and
Maths. I have educated in an assortment of different settings including primary, secondary, and at Shapwick which specialised in catering for students with dyslexia
and dyscalculia.
GCSE Science - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning
BA Honours in Professional Practice (Education)
Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course – Biology TES Institute
Qualified Teacher Status and PGCE
Nikki Fouracre -
BSc Hons in Molecular Science
PGCE in Secondary Science
Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties Level 4
Supporting Individuals with Memory Weaknesses Level 4
Hi. I've taught Science for 18 years and more recently have developed science based interactive and multi-sensory resources as a fundamental part of my teaching.
My son has suffered from a chronic illness since the age of 11 so I am very aware of the difficulties surrounding the ‘one size fits all’ style of education. For the past two years I have worked at an independent school for students with SpLD, intensifying my understanding of dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and other co-existing conditions, including ASD.
Caroline is currently working really hard to set up a unique learning experience at The Levels School in Somerset so isn't as available at the moment.
GCSE Science - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Pastoral Support
B.Sc. Hons Sports Science
B.Ed. Secondary Science
Perspectives in Dyslexia - CPD Level 4
‘I am a Mum of two - one with a diagnosis of APD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and the associated sensory processing difficulties, the other with an expressive language disorder and again, the sensory difficulties linked to his ASD. I am therefore very aware that our children struggle, not just with academic learning, but as these differences feed into every aspect of their lives and can lead to associated anxie
We have been really lucky in being able to bring on board some very lovely people who have an absolute wealth of experience - contact us via the email link and we can get you in contact with the tutor that best suits your needs
We are also able to offer PILATES,
NUTRITION and WEIGHT MANAGEMENT ADVICE,
DANCE. FOREST SCHOOL....it just keeps getting better :)
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