Melissa B says their family’s first year at Emerson School has allowed her daughter Phoebe to thrive in an environment that fosters self-worth, confidence and achievement.
Previously in a mainstream primary school, Melissa says Phoebe was falling further behind her peers in her learning and was beginning to be excluded socially. Worse, her daughter had noticed the exclusion and the learning gap which affected her sense of confidence and self-worth.
“Phoebe’s anxiety and selective mutism were spiking, and school refusal was increasing,” Melissa says.
The initial plan was to attend a trial day at Emerson School in June 2025, with a view to transferring to the school at the start of 2026. Phoebe loved the experience so much she asked if she could move immediately, and only a couple of weeks later became a student at Emerson.
Melissa says Phoebe has flourished in her first year at the school, becoming Junior School Captain and helping to lead Assembly, developing friendships, and learning a whole range of new hobbies and skills such as dancing, singing, gymnastics, cooking and woodwork.
“My daughter is a completely different person now to who she was a year ago,” Melissa says. “She is confident and vibrant, and loves going to school.”
After struggling to learn the alphabet previously, Phoebe has now started reading her first ever chapter novel. She even represented the school at a recent environmental leadership forum, an experience that her mother says made Phoebe both a bit nervous, and very proud.
Melissa says Emerson facilitated an easy transition to the school and is always ready with strategies and support when needed.
“As a parent of a child with an intellectual disability, I have always had to fight for support and understanding prior to coming to Emerson,” she says. “I don’t have to fight for anything here. It is such a relief to have responsive staff always ready with advice and support, in an environment filled with compassion and understanding.”
Phoebe herself says of Emerson: “Mummy, nobody makes fun of me here. Everyone is really kind.”
[interviewed June 2026]
Photo credit: photo supplied by Melissa B with permission to use granted
