Emmanuel* came to an Aspris school as a residential student after struggling to deal with his Asperger Syndrome in mainstream education.
When he arrived he was educationally able, yet failing to engage and cope with both the academic and social demands of school.
He was initially placed in a small class group and was given clear expectations, firm boundaries and predictability. This gave Emmanuel the structure he needed to reduce his anxieties and extreme behaviours.
As Emmanuel moved into secondary school he became disengaged with some areas of the curriculum which he felt had no meaning for him. As a result, a negotiated timetable was put into operation in Key Stage 4 which included English, Maths, Science, ICT, Key Skills, History, Geography, Citizenship and PSHE.
In Year 11, Emmanuel started an Open University Course centred on his interest in Science and particularly Space. His timetable was differentiated further to allow for this and he completed modules whilst studying for his GCSEs.
At GCSE, he achieved English Grade C, ICT Grade B, Maths Grade A*, Science Grade A* and Additional Science Grade A*.
Throughout Emmanuel’s time at an Aspris school there was also a support programme in place for his parents. This included weekly telephone contact from his key worker and periodic contact from his form tutor or class special support assistant.
In Year 11, a number of school visits and meetings were arranged with 6th-form staff and Emmanuel’s parents to ensure the correct decisions were made about his future.
He went on to a 6th form College, and his A Level examination results were Maths Grade A*, Physics Grade A*, Chemistry Grade A* and Extended Project Grade A.
Emmanuel then took a year out, filling his time with Open University courses before applying to Cambridge, Durham, Lancaster and Exeter to do a degree in Natural Sciences.
When Emmanuel came to Aspris he had no real hopes and plans for his future, now he says: “My aims for the future are to be involved in bio engineering and space colonisation”.
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.