Fletcher
An animal lover who relishes being outdoors, Year 8 pupil Fletcher enjoys the school’s horticultural area, where students get the chance to plant seeds, grow fruit and vegetables, as well help care for the resident ducks.
“The ducks are my favourite – and I love getting the chance to hold one,” he says. “I also like going into the poly tunnels, where we grow onions and other vegetables. We sometimes get to take crates of onions to the food tech department, for use in class, and once our teacher cooked one of the duck’s eggs,” says Fletcher, adding how he enjoys coming to school every day to attend his lessons and spend time with his friends.
“Our sensory room is amazing. It has bean bags and big bouncy balls, there are even rainbow lights on the ceiling.”
“School is a great place to make friends,” he says, going onto to explain how he found the large classes of his previous, mainstream school more difficult to cope with. “It’s hard to concentrate when you’re in a classroom of 30 people, rather than just the seven we have here. Also, when I was struggling, feeling angry or sad, I didn’t feel comfortable, whereas in this school, there are always people to help you.
“LVS Hassocks is a better environment for autistic kids,” he says.
ICT, outdoor learning and food tech are Fletcher’s favourite subjects, and he is a big fan of the sensory room and therapy club.
“My old school didn’t offer any sort of therapy and it’s something that has really helped me. The school does things in a really good way to help you feel more in control and to help prepare you for the future – from making new friends to learning to live independently in the future.
“Our sensory room is amazing. It has bean bags and big bouncy balls, there are even rainbow lights on the ceiling. The café here is also great – you get to eat cookies, cakes and crisps and stuff. It’s the day everyone looks forward to – a bit like payday, except it’s us paying for the items!
“Everyone gets a chance to work in the café too and I have very good memories of my time there. It’s a really cosy environment plus, when you work there, you get to choose one item for free.”
Fletcher adds that having an understanding and supportive school environment is particularly good on the more difficult days. “Sometimes after lunch or breaktime, I can feel upset but I come into the lessons and sit in a corner to read or draw. It helps me to feel better and be able to get back in the ‘green zone’ – the place where we’re happiest to learn.”