Jacob
When it comes to a future career, Jacob reveals that he would love to be a football commentator or game show host. He is a student with many talents, especially in Maths, which he excels in, having already passed his Functional Skills Level 1 Maths exam.
“I hadn’t been doing very much before I came here,” explains Jacob, who was being home-schooled before he joined in Year 7. He now enjoys having more structure to his days, from getting up and dressed to coming into school. “It’s very good to have a structure, it gives me an order to life.”
LVS Oxford, he says, is an “easy place to make friends”.
“I’ve made lots of friends, it has been fine. You can just ask someone to be your friend and they say ‘yes’. I’m learning a lot here too and I like all of my subjects, English, Maths, Science… I enjoy Art on Fridays too and Music on Monday afternoons – and doing experiments in Science.
“I like the fact that this is a school for autistic kids. Everyone here is included in the conversations, in all of the lessons and I really like that everyone is treated the same.”
“The teachers are great. If you’re struggling they are there to help, but when you are doing well, they encourage you to crack on.”
Tutor time, which students have first thing on arrival at school and again in the afternoon, is good for settling everyone down. “We get to chat with our friends,” says Jacob, who loves the school lunches. His favourite meal is the fish and chips.
“I like the fact that this is a school for autistic kids. Everyone here is included in the conversations, in all of the lessons and I really like that everyone is treated the same. We all get a chance to contribute in lessons too. It feels nice.
“The teachers are really easy to talk to and it is a safe environment to be yourself. I always feel safe here and it’s lovely with lots of space.”
Summing up his three favourite things about the school, Jacob says: “My friends. They’re nice and funny and I enjoy being with them. I also like playing football and I play every day, and do the Friday football club. On Fridays we’re split into two teams. I’ve tried to score a goal, but couldn’t! The school is a lovely place, with lots of space.”
Jacob adds: “My parents are really proud of me since I joined. I’m doing well here.”