LIFE OUTSIDE SCHOOLS
The saddest part about this project was hearing about the problems for pupils when they’re not in the safe environment of special schools. This video explains more:
We did questionnaires at the schools. This is what the students said they think of people’s attitudes towards them:

“Because we’re in a wheelchair, people assume that we don’t have thoughts, but look at Steven Hawkins.”
“People think we’re being naughty, but we don’t like being in trouble all the time.”
Leaving school can be a very difficult time for students and their parents:

JUDY HARTWELL
Former teacher at Victoria School
“It was devastating
for them when they had to leave. They were out of childcare social services and into adult social services. School was everything to them and their parents.”

MARK COPPAGE
Former pupil at Dame Ellen Pinsent School
“I went to college, but I got picked on there and they didn’t do anything to help me. I had work experience in a canteen, but I lost all my confidence.”


CAROL LEGGET
Former parent at Fox Hollies School
“It was a real wrench when Hayley left, because you felt as though you’d lost half your family. We went back to a few jumble sales, but it just wasn’t the same.”

JENNIFER BROWN
Heritage Project Assistant
My quote has always been: “The greatest disability of all is those who don’t respect or treat us the same way as everyone else”.
There are now quiet times in shops for people with Autism and sensory needs, as well as special showings in cinemas, but there’s still a long way to go.
I feel that disability awareness training can help these students to get jobs. Our students have so many goals in life. I really hope that their hopes for the future are achieved.
We need to raise awareness of the difficulties that still exist 50 years after we got the right to an education.
