Meet Jack

During Autism Acceptance Week 2022, student Jack was interviewed by the Principal, Paddy Sandham, where we dicussed his experiences of autism and his progression since joining Whinfell School.

Feedback

I would like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all the staff team at Whinfell School. The team have been excellent with working with a complexed young adult that I could only described as lost soul. The team gave him time, direction and support when all had failed him in his teenage years. The team never gave up and communicated at all times with myself regarding his overall wellbeing. I would like to say thank you to Jennifer Carradus for the time you gave this young adult and the input to transform his life. You are truly amazing. I would also like to thank Paddy Sandham  for the support ensuring the young person attended his exams and receiving the extra support to pass his GSCE. I would highly recommend this provision and hope to work with the team in the future.  

- Social Worker

As a parent, I can only offer total praise for all the staff and management at Whinfell and also Kendal Green. My son has benefited from staff that have always gone way above and beyond and he has excelled in education and personal development. Prior to his arrival at Whinfell, I felt desperately alone with a boy that I knew had great potential but needed a lot more assistance to reach it. I felt that he was not understood as things were quite complex and I was really struggling to get the right help. Whinfell provided this and more. I felt totally supported, my son was safe, understood despite many challenges and I was completely kept in the loop. All things were discussed with me fully and I felt my input was appreciated and valid. Due to feeling very let down with support for my son (and the rest of my family as a consequence) in the past, I had never had confidence in a system prior to Whinfell. I cannot praise the care, teaching, home and management enough. They have not only changed my son’s life and options open to him, but ours as a family too. Whinfell could not score higher in my experience. 

- Parent

Starting at Whinfell School our grandson/son has quickly settled, is very happy and he is responding well to the care and education he now receives. Initial homesickness soon passed and the distance from home became insignificant.  The boys are so busy and enjoying life that we think he probably does not miss us as much as we miss him!  Fitting visits into their busy schedules is a happy task.

The staff are always happy to help, advise and reassure us and of course the all the boys have their computers, phones and even letters to keep in touch with us all.

- Parent (Read the full testimonial here).

Confidence in general and in social environments is another thing I struggled with when I joined Whinfell. I always doubted myself, felt awful if I didn’t achieve a goal and never spoke up if I had a thought, suggestion, query or worry. I’d get overwhelmed when surrounded by people and would want to stay quiet and remain as irrelevant as possible. But that’s all changed. I’m not gonna lie and say I know exactly how school have helped me improve on this, but I think it’s down to pushing through comfort zones and doing new things.

I’m now more confident and enjoy participating in discussions and social events. In regards to talking and engaging with other people, most would say I’ve gone from one extreme to the other and talk too much. I’m really grateful for this and I know it will be vital moving forwards and living an independent life.

The school recognised all the things I struggled with and have, over a long period of time, slowly but surely developed me to a point where I feel confident and in a good place in my final year and looking forwards to the future.

- Student (Read Jack's story in his own words here.)