A child who had previously missed a significant proportion of his education now loves attending school and has a 97% attendance record. Most importantly, for the first time, he has a peer group he calls friends.
In the past Seb* has struggled with speech and language difficulties, particularly around functional communication skills. A genetic condition affects him physically and developmentally, impacting on both his education and his behaviour. With autistic traits and ADHD, learning had been a challenge.
Seb had missed a lot of school because of his health difficulties, and had been home schooled before coming to High Peak School as a day pupil. He was very insecure about his academic abilities and progress, and became emotional when faced with new challenges. At home, he was expressing concerning thoughts and had become almost reclusive.
At High Peak, the team supporting Seb put a number of measures in place to help him overcome these barriers to his learning. He was introduced to and integrated with a strong peer group at the school who acted as academic role models. Alternative methods of learning were introduced and occupational sessions focused on group work to encourage social interaction and friendships.
Seb also attended speech and language therapy-led social communication group sessions each week and was supported to learn dialectical behaviour skills through outdoor education. The team also worked closely with Seb’s family and his health professionals.
He now loves coming to school and engages fully in all learning. His reading has made significant progress. He regularly tops the school’s rewards points tally and he is learning in a formal class environment. His attendance is over 97%. Seb has expressed aspirations of what he wants to do when he leaves school and, most importantly of all, has a group of peers who he calls friends for the first time.
Get in contact on 0800 024 6985 or [email protected] to discover more about the opportunities on offer for children and young people at High Peak School.