THE BRIDGE SCHOOL TRIP

Mr Streat writes: I could not have been more proud of this year’s group of sixth formers who visited the North Islington based Bridge School for children with severe or profound learning difficulties. Between them, Jasmine, Daniella, Mary, Georgia, Flora, Ben, Theo, Will, Lily, Lia and Charlotte embraced the tasks and challenges, both physical and emotional, that the trip encompasses. From the first moment they built connections with the pupils they were working with, getting to know them, to know their needs, and to help build their confidence in little things over the course of the visit. Whether helping one to sing a song or recognise some words or pictures, another to cook a little food, one to be more confident in the water, or another to be able to negotiate a difficult obstacle outside, our sixth formers showed compassion, care, intuitive understanding and great warmth. The Bridge teachers and classroom assistants were, as ever, mightily impressed by the way our team made themselves useful and bonded with the children so quickly. Mrs Brown and I in our turn were overjoyed to hear the team continue to discuss what they had been doing and what they had learnt about the children over the course of each evening, making sure that any useful tips about how particular children liked to work were passed on. It seems almost implausible that such a short trip can reap such long term benefits, but Mrs Brown and I have the advantage of returning year after year – we see the Bridge children remembering previous visitors, and asking about them, and remembering the things they did together… it really does make a huge difference to their lives to meet young and genuinely enthusiastic visitors who are giving their full attention and emotion to the time they spend together; and of course we know how much it has meant to the many of our sixth formers who have made the visit themselves.