After Burlington House

I graduated from a Product and Furniture design degree from Kingston University, and have since been working with a charity called ‘Shape Arts’ with their Young Leaders Forum. They have been fantastic in helping me pursue my own creative career in the Arts by showcasing my practice. I aim to give a voice to other young disabled people by helping them fulfil their dreams in pursuing a career in the Arts. I feel that my time at school was the best five years anyone could ask for; the help, support and enthusiasm of the teachers was fantastic, it helped me personally to grow to where I am today.

The school gave me the opportunity to learn in an environment where I wasn’t stressed, or annoyed for being in the bottom sets at school. It was a place where I could learn in a way that made sense to me. I left with eight GCSE’s and went to Esher College where I got three A levels, then onto Bath Spa University where I somehow, managed to get a First in Creative Media Practice! I’m now studying a Masters in TV Journalism at Goldsmiths. The school showed me that with hard work and belief, you can do anything you put your mind to.

After leaving school a lot has happened that I never dreamed was possible. I graduated with a Fashion, Textiles and Knitwear degree from Winchester School of Art at Southampton University and started working for White Stuff, a leading UK fashion brand. I have also started making and selling knitted bespoke cushions. My memories of my time at school are all very positive. I loved going to school, it gave me tons of confidence and brought me out of my shell. I was quiet, shy and lacked confidence; now I am a completely different person, all down to the caring and supportive staff at the school.

Coming to this school really was a major turning point in my life. I had plenty of difficulties at primary school such as falling behind with work and a lack of self-confidence. It wasn’t until I joined the school that I discovered I was actually capable of achieving. I wasn’t afraid to ask questions anymore and I made new friends. My learning in the core subjects improved, and I developed a passion for performing arts. Now I work in the film and television industry as a video editor. I certainly wouldn’t have studied film making at university if school hadn’t given me that spark, it truly was the start of my pursuing a career I knew I could do well.

Growing up in West London, I struggled with school work and had little confidence in my skills and ability to achieve. That all changed when I joined this school. I left with seven GCSE’s and a renewed confidence to utilise my talents and achieve my ambitions. I pursued my dream and started my own company; Phone Heroes is a London based tech start up, specialising in smartphone, tablet and laptop repairs. We have two bustling stores in London and are aiming for further investment to expand to 15 stores by 2017. The school gave me the confidence and ability to go on and achieve what I set my mind to.

After leaving school, I achieved four A-levels and am now completing a Psychology degree at Brunel University. I really would not be where I am now without the input of my teachers; they gave me confidence, a belief in my abilities and were so patient and inventive in finding ways to help me learn, particularly in Maths. After graduation, I intend to complete a Masters in Applied Behavioural Analysis and work within the SEN field. None of this would have been possible without the help and expertise of all the staff at the school.

I struggled academically at school due to dyslexia, but the support I received at Burlington House School (then called The Moat School) helped me to succeed academically and enabled me to study Sociology at university. The school also helped me develop resilience. That resilience proved invaluable during university and throughout my career. The ability to face challenges and not give up has been key to my progression and becoming a Compensation Senior Manager at Visa. What I particularly enjoy now is hosting insight days and work experience for students, helping them think about their future careers and to develop employability skills.