Our Year 11 students did not have the planned finish to their time of their Key Stage 3 and 4 education at Bushey Meads that we had wanted to give them but we do hope they have managed to stay cheerful during this difficult time. It has actually been wonderful to see them again at BMS as they have attended school for the superbly planned Year 12 Taster lessons – taking place this week and next. The end of Year 11 as always marks the ‘end of an era’ for the students in this important cohort and we know that our school will have played an important part, along with their families and friends in shaping their lives. This email from two Year 11 parents received this week may well epitomise how many of you are feeling and certainly recognises our ‘Mind to Be Kind Culture’ which we hold so dear at the school:

Dear Mr Turner,

It’s difficult to truly describe how grateful we are to the staff at BMS, for 5 years of our son being happy, challenged and expanding his learning to levels we could not have dared hope when he started in September 2015. We chose BMS because we could tell there was a difference about the ethos of the school and that the Base being alongside would be perfect for his needs. Even on attending an open evening I remember being very impressed with Mr Cartledge’s kindness and interest towards him, despite it being clear that he would not be a pupil who would be on school teams or excel at PE. Just one kindness in many that springs to mind when I think of the past few years.

I fear that I will miss out teachers and staff that have gone the extra mile but here are a few: The two reception ladies have been emailed by me and seen me more than most non SEND parents and they have always been lovely and patient. Mr Futerill as a CDC and is quietly thoughtful makes the form time an environment that he is happy in, because our son has not once been grumpy about attending school! Mr Cox early on was supportive and more recently has taken over as CDC whilst Mr Futerill is on paternity leave. Amazing Maths teachers like Miss Timmins and Mrs Selliah have given our son their time and enthusiasm which we hope will see him get a good pass at GCSE. Mr Gall has also been good with him. Mrs McllDowie was very supportive with the Year 10 work placement and allayed my fears. (For your information I will be writing separately to Mrs Dillon to thank all the Base staff). Finally what Mrs Blowers wrote about why he was given his recent prestigious award made me smile because it was very similar to what I wrote in Part A of his ECHP many years ago. He is unfailingly cheerful despite so much of life being a challenge for him. Lockdown has not always been easy and it was great to finish on such a high. Thank you for working so hard to keep the ‘Mind to be kind’ ethos running at BMS – it means even more to SEND parents.

Best Wishes
Year 11 Parents