Published on 01/25/2008

When I discovered that my twin daughters had a range of specific learning difficulties, it was an enormous relief to learn that there were schools such as Edington and Shapwick who would be able to attend to their specific needs and provide an environment in which their confidence and self-esteem could be nurtured.

I would not hesitate in recommending the school to parents

They were educated to begin with in a state primary school where there was very little progress in the first two years other than that they became very adept at swapping classes with each other to avoid a subject either one did not enjoy! Although this would have been a good school for those who were able to access their learning effectively, it would have been easy for the girls to slip through the educational net.

In considering my next move, I was in the fortunate position to be able to send the girls to a small independent school but once again, although small classes and some individual tuition meant they began to improve, they lacked the specialist teachers who would be able to provide a dedicated and specific learning environment.

Since attending Edington and Shapwick however, my daughters have grown in confidence and ability. The friendly and relaxed approach, together with the multi-sensory and kinaesthetic teaching methods offered by the school has allowed them to develop their own learning styles and as a result, their individual strengths are at last beginning to show themselves.

I have been extremely impressed by the ability of the school to recognise that although twins, my daughters have quite different personalities and an approach that is at one and the same time, sensitive and scientific, has allowed them to individualise their learning goals.

However, learning at Edington and Shapwick is not simply about the classroom. To find an environment that considers the long term prospects of their pupils and believes that confidence in the outside world is as important as attainment targets, has lifted a great weight from my shoulders.

I would not hesitate in recommending the school to parents who have children with specific learning difficulties. It has been the best decision I could possibly have made.