Vicki, Warwickshire, UK
My stories
My School Story
I definitely have trauma from school. Thinking about it makes me tearful even now when lm 40+ years old.
Actually primary was mostly okay on the whole. It was a small school, but when l reached secondary school it was completely different. It was a huge school.
I was separated from most of the children l had previously gone to school with. Except for one girl who l had requested to go will because she lived nearby but she was an emotional bully and l never realised it.
My biggest problem started when l started to get ill. It was horrible and school were awful.
I would get horrible comments from teachers about my attendance and from other pupils too.
I was made to do sports, which made me very ill. I was put in all the bottom sets for subjects because my attendance was poor and l was told until my attendance improved l would not be able to move up even though l had the ability!
So l was working with lessons that were too easy and the children were disruptive.
My mum was having people from school visit her and demand my attendance improve.
I became so anxious and really started to hate and fear school. (It wasn’t initially school phobia as many teachers had thought it was, but it turned into school phobia).
When l was finally diagnosed l was sent to a special education unit for a few hours a week Here l was made to write to a teacher who had said some horrible things to me and tell them l couldn’t wait to return!
I could write so much more!
Actually primary was mostly okay on the whole. It was a small school, but when l reached secondary school it was completely different. It was a huge school.
I was separated from most of the children l had previously gone to school with. Except for one girl who l had requested to go will because she lived nearby but she was an emotional bully and l never realised it.
My biggest problem started when l started to get ill. It was horrible and school were awful.
I would get horrible comments from teachers about my attendance and from other pupils too.
I was made to do sports, which made me very ill. I was put in all the bottom sets for subjects because my attendance was poor and l was told until my attendance improved l would not be able to move up even though l had the ability!
So l was working with lessons that were too easy and the children were disruptive.
My mum was having people from school visit her and demand my attendance improve.
I became so anxious and really started to hate and fear school. (It wasn’t initially school phobia as many teachers had thought it was, but it turned into school phobia).
When l was finally diagnosed l was sent to a special education unit for a few hours a week Here l was made to write to a teacher who had said some horrible things to me and tell them l couldn’t wait to return!
I could write so much more!
My Home Ed Story
Home education saved me. I was able to work on my health, my confidence and self esteem which had all suffered greatly.
I loved learning. I focused on the subjects that interested me, as and when my health permitted.
I managed to get the GCSEs l wanted (something that would not have happened in school) and l went on to college and getting my degree.
I loved learning. I focused on the subjects that interested me, as and when my health permitted.
I managed to get the GCSEs l wanted (something that would not have happened in school) and l went on to college and getting my degree.
How I think schools could be better.
Teachers and students are under far too much pressure.
Children are all different and they all need a different approach to schooling. With class and school sizes so big, lm not sure how changes could be implemented.
I think there needs to be a lot more emotional support for students, less pressure and a focus on enjoying learning.
Children are all different and they all need a different approach to schooling. With class and school sizes so big, lm not sure how changes could be implemented.
I think there needs to be a lot more emotional support for students, less pressure and a focus on enjoying learning.