Really special staff

I RECENTLY attended my child s presentation evening for year 11s at the Amber Centre in Hartford. My child has been attending there for two years, and during that time I have witnessed a positive, growing change in thought processes and behaviour. The Amb

I RECENTLY attended my child's presentation evening for year 11s at the Amber Centre in Hartford. My child has been attending there for two years, and during that time I have witnessed a positive, growing change in thought processes and behaviour.

The Amber Centre is for young adults who find learning at conventional schools too demanding, due to problems with attention deficit, behavioural and learning issues, and feelings of low self-esteem, which are often disguised by anger and rebelliousness.

I would like publicly to thank and draw attention to the wonderful staff, and praise their skills, patience and tolerance in bringing out the true person behind all the complexities of their students.

My child and I have been through a few difficult years recently, and the support and guidance given by the staff at this fabulous school have meant that, little by little, we have come out of the darkness and into the light.

This is only a small school serving a comparatively large area, and unfortunately only the most needy students are given places. Yet it does superbly well and turns out students well equipped to deal with life in terms of identified skills and areas of strength. It also gives students self-confidence, life strategies (when parental guidance wasn't enough), as well as career direction and support.

So, may I say a heartfelt well done.

ALISON MAX, Little Paxton