Where do I begin.... Simon has welcomed me, staff and students into the Wings & Things family so seamlessly, that I'm unable to pin point a start date. So many memories and achievements have been reached in this time, there's just too many to mention so I'll focus on the highlights!

 

Simon has reached me on a personal level and enabled me to over come a phobia of snakes. I have been battling this phobia since I was young (inherited from my parents) to the point I was unable to be in the same room as a snake. I had been making small steps over the years to allow me to over come this but never thought I would be able to touch, let alone hold and enjoy a snake. 

Enter my time with Simon; he has shown me through understanding, knowledge and leadership that snakes are an animal to be very much enjoyed. Donald, Blake and Bob have become a highlight of my sessions with Simon and I have been given the confidence to show my students that snakes are not an animal to be feared but infact incredible animals to be enjoyed. Simon has never made me feel like I was being irrational due to my fear and helped me at my own pace - I will be forever grateful.

 

The students I work with can have very complex social and emotional needs and so require an individual approach to new circumstances. Simon has does this effortlessly. Simon has allowed students to experience a wide variety of animals, some of which students were not aware of, filled them with knowledge and allowed them to experience hands on with the animals overcoming stereotypes, myths and in some cases phobias. To be able to watch my students experience an positive relationship with a third party member of staff and grow in confidence around animals has been a pleasure to observe and participate in.

 

Both staff and students look forward to our Wings and Things sessions. They ask me to take pictures for their workbooks and can't wait to share their experiences with family at the end of the day.

 

Working with Simon and the animals has helped my students to show respect, gain confidence and further their knowledge. Simon will  always allow students to ask any questions and then explains on a level that students can understand and relate to.

 

Simon works closely with my provision leaders and me to ensure that our planning reaches it's full potential and enables students to gain the most from the session, showing flexibility and acceptance of suggestions throughout.

 

I hope to keep the partnership with Wings and Things for years to come.

 

Thank you Simon for everything you have given to myself and my students; they are memories that will last long after my students leave our provision!

Tracy Special Education Teacher