At Progress Schools we aim to offer the appropriate support for a number of learning roadblocks that our students may face. One difficulty that could affect a student’s ability to learn is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common neurodevelopmental condition that around one in 20 young people have, according to Young Minds. This is true for Kaitlyn, one of our students diagnosed with ADHD.
Kaitlyn joined Progress Schools last June after being permanently excluded from her mainstream school after demonstrating behavioural issues. Because of this, she was placed on a managed move, where a student is permanently moved to another mainstream school. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful and so Kaitlyn returned to her previous school without anything being resolved. Kaitlyn was permanently excluded again and placed in Progress Schools.
Since joining Progress Schools, Kaitlyn’s behaviour has greatly improved. She built strong relationships with the members of staff and her fellow students. Her attitude for learning has improved significantly, as noted by her Head of School:
“Kaitlyn is very bright and has shown she wants to do well. She has achieved a Level 1.8 in English and a Level 2.8 in Maths in her most recent assessments.”
Kaitlyn was diagnosed with ADHD from a young age. Her parents chose to take a more holistic approach and forego medication. Now she is older, Kaitlyn is undergoing reassessment to make sure the best support can be provided for her.
ADHD can greatly impact how well you learn and focus. Help Guide suggests it is like “trying to focus with a million tabs open in your brain”. Focusing, staying on task, and remembering details can be challenging to someone with ADHD, like Kaitlyn. However, there are strategies and even medications that can better support someone with ADHD and provide them with their optimal learning environment.
The smaller class sizes at Progress Schools reduced the number of distractions that could disrupt Kaitlyn’s attention, helping her to stay engaged with the task at hand. During her lessons, her teacher and the support staff would help Kaitlyn to stay focused and get the most out of her education.
After 8 months with us, Kaitlyn was successfully reintegrated into a new mainstream school. Her reintegration is vastly down to the consistent support offered by the teachers and support staff during Kaitlyn’s lessons, alongside Kaitlyn’s commitment to herself and her education. One of her teachers commented:
“It’s been amazing to see Kaitlyn’s behaviour improve as much as it did”.
Kaitlyn was able to rebuild her appreciation for learning through the smaller class sizes and support from her teachers and teaching assistants during her lessons. With the techniques Kaitlyn learnt, she was able to work with her ADHD and not against it. She’s now applying these skills in her new school. We are so proud of Kaitlyn for putting in the time and effort to improve her education. We wish her the best as she rejoins mainstream schooling!
(For confidentiality, the student’s name has been changed.)
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