I started at my First School aged 4 in a class of children with special needs, in a ‘unit’ alongside the rest of the main school. My teacher was doing her MA researching how children related to each other in school. She asked me who my friends were at playtime and I named children who were not in my class. When she talked to other children in the school, she found that friendships crossed over the ‘unit’ and other classes. After this, all the special needs children were moved into the main school. I was so happy every day at school and loved playtimes in my small electric wheelchair, especially when I was a bit older and looked after the younger children with special needs!
I moved to junior school when I was 8 and was able to spend most of my time without my helper, and at break times I continued to use
my new Turbo chair which enabled to lower myself to ground level, or up to standing height. I made good friends from my own class as well as girls from higher and lower classes. I had a wonderful headmistress who was so kind and even stepped in to help me when my helper was off sick. My favourite memories from those years were the two day trips we did to the Isle of Wight. We went by coach to the ferry from Southampton – we all loved our chips on the voyage! Then we spent the afternoon on Sandown beach and even the teachers went in the sea!
When I was 11, I moved to the senior school on the same campus. We had to change classrooms for nearly every lesson and I couldn’t use my Turbo in school any more, so my helpers had to push me around in my manual chair. This made me feel less independent but I was still able to attend some classes on my own where I could sit next to friends rather than at a separate desk with a helper.
Before I started in Year 10 my family moved to Sidlesham and I attended Manhood Community College (now The Academy, Selsey). I was free again as I was able to use my Permobil in school! It was such a different school from my previous one as the teachers made me feel much more grown up and responsible for my own work! I had regular meetings with the SENCo and also had a designated support teacher who made sure everything was going smoothly for me.
After my GCSEs I moved to Chichester College for my A Levels. I travelled in by taxi and after being dropped off at the front entrance, I would drive to find my helper in the ‘Study Centre’. I often felt as if I was in a dream, or a film when I did this; it was such an amazing feeling to be part of such a big crowd and just move through it smoothly!! Again the support was excellent and whenever I had a problem it was soon sorted out. I took one of my helpers through my GCSEs and A Levels, and luckily she agreed to continue with me through to university, doing my Childhood Studies degree. This made my transition process much less stressful as I was able to discuss any queries with her and we sorted them out together. During my first year, I did a work placement in a nursery school. I found it difficult to gain the attention of the small children as they were in a ‘free play’ nursery where they could move around and choose their own activities. I did enjoy spending time with them but I decided that I would prefer to work with older children. My second year placement was in a Year One class where I was given specific tasks to do with small groups or individuals. The class teacher was extremely encouraging and this helped me see that this was something I could continue to do after my degree.
It’s nearly 10 years since I graduated and I am working as a part-time Learning Support Assistant in the same school! I absolutely
love my work and I now teach children from all year groups. I really enjoy getting to know the children and seeing them progress through the school. The children who I helped during my placement finished school last summer!
Lizzie Baily 2015
I moved to junior school when I was 8 and was able to spend most of my time without my helper, and at break times I continued to use
my new Turbo chair which enabled to lower myself to ground level, or up to standing height. I made good friends from my own class as well as girls from higher and lower classes. I had a wonderful headmistress who was so kind and even stepped in to help me when my helper was off sick. My favourite memories from those years were the two day trips we did to the Isle of Wight. We went by coach to the ferry from Southampton – we all loved our chips on the voyage! Then we spent the afternoon on Sandown beach and even the teachers went in the sea!
When I was 11, I moved to the senior school on the same campus. We had to change classrooms for nearly every lesson and I couldn’t use my Turbo in school any more, so my helpers had to push me around in my manual chair. This made me feel less independent but I was still able to attend some classes on my own where I could sit next to friends rather than at a separate desk with a helper.
Before I started in Year 10 my family moved to Sidlesham and I attended Manhood Community College (now The Academy, Selsey). I was free again as I was able to use my Permobil in school! It was such a different school from my previous one as the teachers made me feel much more grown up and responsible for my own work! I had regular meetings with the SENCo and also had a designated support teacher who made sure everything was going smoothly for me.
After my GCSEs I moved to Chichester College for my A Levels. I travelled in by taxi and after being dropped off at the front entrance, I would drive to find my helper in the ‘Study Centre’. I often felt as if I was in a dream, or a film when I did this; it was such an amazing feeling to be part of such a big crowd and just move through it smoothly!! Again the support was excellent and whenever I had a problem it was soon sorted out. I took one of my helpers through my GCSEs and A Levels, and luckily she agreed to continue with me through to university, doing my Childhood Studies degree. This made my transition process much less stressful as I was able to discuss any queries with her and we sorted them out together. During my first year, I did a work placement in a nursery school. I found it difficult to gain the attention of the small children as they were in a ‘free play’ nursery where they could move around and choose their own activities. I did enjoy spending time with them but I decided that I would prefer to work with older children. My second year placement was in a Year One class where I was given specific tasks to do with small groups or individuals. The class teacher was extremely encouraging and this helped me see that this was something I could continue to do after my degree.
It’s nearly 10 years since I graduated and I am working as a part-time Learning Support Assistant in the same school! I absolutely
love my work and I now teach children from all year groups. I really enjoy getting to know the children and seeing them progress through the school. The children who I helped during my placement finished school last summer!
Lizzie Baily 2015
