21/05/2022
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Early yesterday morning I received one of the best text messages I have ever received, it simply said:
āHi Laura, just had to share thisā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦R is up, ready and sat in the room he wants to take the exam in."
Whilst exams halls around the country are crammed with Year 11 students taking their GCSEāS, the thought of this Year 10 student who has overcome SO much, sitting in a room on his own patiently waiting for his exam papers to arrive momentarily moved me to tearsā¦ā¦ā¦
Later Rās mum messaged met to say R had finished the exam and that said, āHeās done. He said it was OKā - this text then trumping the one I had received earlier in terms of ābest texts ever received!ā
The fact that R took this exam is absolutely MONUMENTAL.
3 years ago R started Secondary School and the impact on his mental health was catastrophic.
R managed the first 2 weeks, then despite wanting to go in and trying so, so hard he couldnāt return.
For months R retreated to the safety of his bed ā at times only venturing out of his room at night.
But Rās parents knew what he needed, they fought and fought for R to have his KITE tutoring funded by his school, confident in the knowledge that THEY knew what was best for THEIR son.
Eventually, their hard work and determination paid off.
Rās parents have always surrounded R with love and understanding whilst respecting his need for autonomy and space.
6 months ago R was still unable to leave his bed, and would hide under the bed covers when he was due to have a session with his brilliant tutor Simon.
But, every week Simon would log on as agreed, sometimes chatting to Rās mum so that R could overhear.
One week - a shy thumb poked out from under the bed covers to give a sign of approval about something Simon had said.
Simon slowly and respectfully gained Rās trust and made a connection. Eventually R started to log onto sessions with Simon who recognised Rās amazing abilities. Simon has never been Rās ātutorā because R never needed one. Simon became a trusted adult who respected Rās intelligence and ability and simply facilitated his learning.
Yesterday was a monumental event and it happened due to:
šLove
šDetermination
šPatience
šAutonomy
šStrength
šUnderstanding
šConnection
THAT is what children need to succeedā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..
(Simon, W and A and of course R ā you are all bloody brilliant and I am in awe of you allā¦ā¦ā¦..)
Sharing with Rās parentās consent.
