Parent Letter - Jade

I am incredibly grateful for the support my son received during his time at Cambian, which played a vital role in helping him successfully transition back into mainstream education.

The staff took the time to truly understand him as an individual, showing patience, listening to him, and recognising when he felt overwhelmed, using strategies such as music therapy to help him regulate his emotions. He also greatly benefited from the therapeutic opportunities provided, including animal therapy and Reiki, which supported his emotional well-being and confidence.

The school encouraged positive behaviour through a reward system where he could earn a spending allowance, helping him develop an understanding of saving and managing money. They recognised his strengths and interests, particularly in sport, and supported him in being selected for a sports leadership programme, which further boosted his confidence and sense of achievement. (He had the confidence to choose the sports BTEC as an option in his mainstream school).

Opportunities such as outdoor pursuits, including abseiling, canoeing, aerial trekking and paddleboarding, gave him experiences that built resilience, independence and self-belief.

The staff consistently acknowledged his progress, praising him and sharing their pride in his achievements with both him and me, which meant a great deal. They also identified his hypermobility and recommended appropriate support to help manage this.

The combination of therapeutic support, encouragement, and tailored opportunities created a nurturing environment where he was able to grow both emotionally and academically. I also really valued the way the school supported him in learning important life skills such as cooking, doing laundry, and ironing. These are skills that have truly helped shape his independence and confidence.

Seeing him take pride in being able to do these things for himself has been incredibly rewarding and has played a big part in preparing him for the next stage of his journey. (He has also chosen hospitality and catering as an option now, too).

One of the most noticeable changes has been in his social confidence. With the support of the school, he has learned how to build and maintain friendships and navigate social situations more appropriately. It has been amazing to see this growth, as he now has friendships outside of school and is able to attend cadets, something that once would have felt overwhelming for him. I truly believe that without the dedication and care of the staff, his successful transition into mainstream school would not have been possible.

- Kind Regards, Jade.