Gemma, Hampshire
My stories
My School Story
I was so scared of getting things wrong at school. I used to have tummy aches and feel sick and want to go home because I couldn't make friends and I was not keeping up.
I was an 80s child and undiagnosed autistic and ADHD.
I also experienced emotional neglect,physical abuse at home and Teachers were not 'safe' either.
At secondary school I excelled in art and english but was bottom in maths and science.
I self harmed and my cuts were seen so I confided in a teacher about the abuse.
They referred me to the Head who grilled me about it and promised they would tell my parents what I'd said.
They did tell my parents by having a member of staff in my home having a chat with my Mum as I got home from school that day.
I was told to stop attention seeking and to think about how my family feel (I was the carer for them as they were all deaf).
They told me to be good basically.
The abuse carried on and so being at school is not protecting children like me who are rule abiding and terrified of being told off.
I am mid forties and have never had a career despite recently passing a foundation degree I cannot cope with work and have CPTSD and fibromyalgia.
School failed to recognise I was in danger and because I was just below average the attention was focused on the academic ones.
I was also bullied relentlessly at school which I reported but no action stopped it.
They refused to let me study A Levels as they said I wasn't bright enough so I moved to a 6th form college and passed 3 and a GCSE.
I was an 80s child and undiagnosed autistic and ADHD.
I also experienced emotional neglect,physical abuse at home and Teachers were not 'safe' either.
At secondary school I excelled in art and english but was bottom in maths and science.
I self harmed and my cuts were seen so I confided in a teacher about the abuse.
They referred me to the Head who grilled me about it and promised they would tell my parents what I'd said.
They did tell my parents by having a member of staff in my home having a chat with my Mum as I got home from school that day.
I was told to stop attention seeking and to think about how my family feel (I was the carer for them as they were all deaf).
They told me to be good basically.
The abuse carried on and so being at school is not protecting children like me who are rule abiding and terrified of being told off.
I am mid forties and have never had a career despite recently passing a foundation degree I cannot cope with work and have CPTSD and fibromyalgia.
School failed to recognise I was in danger and because I was just below average the attention was focused on the academic ones.
I was also bullied relentlessly at school which I reported but no action stopped it.
They refused to let me study A Levels as they said I wasn't bright enough so I moved to a 6th form college and passed 3 and a GCSE.
My Home Ed Story
NA
How I think schools could be better.
Schools and adults in general need to listen to what children are telling them.
If they are frightened believe them.
If they are struggling believe them.
If they tell you they are scared of their Mum and Dad for goodness sake BELIEVE THEM!
If they are frightened believe them.
If they are struggling believe them.
If they tell you they are scared of their Mum and Dad for goodness sake BELIEVE THEM!