Feedback is essential to any school to help make sure it continues to evolve and grow as well as improve the support it offers to its children and young people.

Brookways School is no exception and one of the ways we hear what parents and carers have to say about the support their child receives at our school is through our parent survey.

Parents overwhelmingly said that they felt staff at Brookways provide a positive, welcoming and friendly environment, that they are patient and kind with the children and are friendly, easy to talk to, knowledgeable and answer questions willingly.

Some of the individual feedback received included:

• “JC’s confidence has grown and he feels better coming to school.”
• “L seems much calmer in school and better able to deal with difficult interactions.”
• “H engages with everyone more. His anxiety has got less.”
• “O’s attendance rate has soared and we are generally able to get him in, even on a Monday.”
• “I have noticed a considerable improvement in home and school life.  Reflection and understanding of incidents has become easier to discuss and move forward for A.”
• “C has really enjoyed the year and is enjoying the social side of school and life.”

Other comments included that children are up and ready to come to school from 6am, that they have learned far more while at Brookways than in previous provisions and that the team have done “amazing” work with a pupil.

Many of our students have been out of education before coming to Brookways and had previously found going to school extremely difficult. That’s why we’re particularly pleased that 50% of our parents said their child always enjoys coming to school, while the other 50% said they usually did. 

Head Teacher Melanie Whitfield said: “We are delighted with the feedback we received from our parent group about the positive experiences they and their children have had at Brookways.

“We always strive to make sure we do all we can to continue to improve and evolve the school to make sure it is meeting children’s needs. This feedback shows we are certainly on the right track, but we are not complacent and will continue to make improvements wherever they are needed and to continually welcome feedback on how we can do things better.”

A final word from a parent: “I am happy with everything Brookways does to ensure my child feels comfortable in the school environment.  Although there is a big difference between school and home settings I have been thoroughly encouraged by the discussions I have had with Melanie and respective teachers and teaching assistants.”

Brookways school provides a safe learning environment for pupils living with autism (ASC), mainly Asperger’s Syndrome and higher functioning autism, who also face other challenges such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and pathological demand avoidance (PDA). 

The vision is to create the highest standard of autism education provision so that the most vulnerable young people are given the best opportunities to learn and grow

Many thanks to everyone who took part!