Education, part 2, plus theatre in Blackpool

From reader Jan Shorrock. The picture is of Jan's daughter Jessica.

"I have 2 children Jessica aged 15 and Jack aged 11. Both Jessica and Jack attend Montgomery High School in Blackpool, even though Jessica has Down's Syndrome.

From the moment Jessica was born we, that is my husband Gary and myself, disregarded the medical label given to Jessica's condition. In everything from play to discipline, Jessica was treated as the baby girl we had waited so long for.

Jessica attended mainstream nursery and primary school and I have to say that if parents of special children do not seek to access the quality of teaching for their child as indeed they would any of any child then they cannot expect to change or challenge  the education on offer.

We must accept that Special needs children in maistream school is something relatively new, and a huge learning curve for education authorities, teachers, parents and other children.

Jessica was only the second child with Down's Syndrome to go through the mainstream school system in Blackpool.

We have along the way experienced bullying, rejection and challenge as to the suitability of Jessica to be in mainstream school. It also has to be mentioned we have had a lot of support form people who believe that inclusion is a basic human right.

However now through determination Jessica is taking her GCSE. She is a qalified PADI skindiver, she can SCUBA dive and she has been involved in taking her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

Most importantly Jessica is seeking to follow a career in performing arts, she is studying the B-TEc level at school and then hoping to go to Chicken Shed  in London to study the B-TEc course there. We have been told that Jessica will not be accepted into Blackpool College as she does not reach the necessary criteria. At Chicken Shed they work with a very different ethos and Jessica will be considered along with all the other candidates.

Because of the ethos and  methodology of the inclusive approach, a commitment to "theatre for everyone" it has spurred me on to establish a "Shed" here in Blackpool.

Tram Shed Theatre Company was established in March 2005 by the world class theatre company Chicken Shed and is now part of an erver growing number of independent "Sheds" working by the Chicken Shed inclusive creative method.

As I stated earlier if you want the best for your child and for them to achieve their full potential, challenge the future, push the boundaries and always realise this is going to take time energy and absolute determination.

I have attached some photos of Jessica and yes as if you didnt already know we are indeed very proud of Jessica.

Comments

[Erica]

Hi My name is Erica and i have a daughter with down's syndrome. My Angel is 1 year old and i believe is doing great. I just want to say that stories like this are very encouraging to parents like me. This gives me so much hope for my baby girl.Thanks!

[Elizabeth]

She's a beautiful girl. You're right to be very proud!