Grace, UK

In 1995 I was 12 years old and experiencing horrendous bullying by a Maths teacher in Middle school. The trauma led to anxiety, panic attacks, the start of an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts. Everyday I thought it would be better to be hit by a car on my way, rather than having to walk into the school. The schools answer was not to address what was happening but to blame me and tell my parents that I was a "troubled child" and they could support a referral for mental health. With that my parents deregistered me and I began home education.

After dereg my life began again. Free from ridicule and humiliation, I was able to heal, be me and love learning again. I absolutely thrived at home and I went on to take my GCSEs a year early. I then went to achieve A levels. Later in adult life with 2 young children, I returned to study and gained a 1st class degree in Criminal Psychology and a Masters at Distinction in Criminal Psychology Research. Home education saved my life and instilled drive, determination and a thirst for knowledge that school was unable to do. I now home educate my own 12 year daughter who like me, left school a broken child but is now flourishing into exactly who she is free to be.

Far more training and knowledge needs to be provided when dealing with children with anxiety and emotional needs. Not all children fit into the box and learn the same. Having said that, it wasn't more understanding that was needed in my case, it was the basic right to be treated fairly and not bullied by a person in authority. I should have been safe in school but I wasn't. Instead I was made out to be the problem. This happens far too often and children and parents are scapegoated instead of dealing with the problems in school.