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Students stories

Marie - College

Fast-track to sporting excellence

Marie has attended Treloar's since the end of 2007. At Treloar's Marie has developed an impressive sporting CV.

Marie says: "Before coming to Treloar's I was never allowed to take part in a sport lesson. In my classroom at Treloar's there were different disabilities but we all participated in different ways. We were all able to do something. The staff really helped me to adapt and I soon felt at home."

Soon after she joined Treloar's Marie started training with the swim squad. Since then Marie has been to numerous regional swimming galas. In the summer of 2010 she then joined the Treloar's Athletics Squad and went to Blackpool to compete in discus and shot at National level. She qualified for the South East Athletics squad and represented the South East at the UK School Games. At the National Junior Games last October she was talent spotted for the GB Power Lifting Squad.

At Stoke Mandeville she won gold in power lifting, gold in manual slalom, silver in archery, silver in 100m and bronze in discuss.

Athletics is not the only area Marie has excelled in since arriving at Treloar's. She now has a clear vision about her academic future, studying Health and Social Care at the Alton College.

Marie adds: "Treloar's has changed my life in many ways and I now believe that I can achieve the goals I set myself."

Marie's dad, Paul says: "As a parent it was great seeing her taking part in sport. Sport boosted her confidence and has given her the self-belief in her skills, which was shown by her GCSE result: grade A. We are very proud of her."

Daniel- College

Preparing for adult life

Daniel went to mainstream primary and secondary schools before joining Treloar's in September 2008. He now attends Alton College and stays at Campbell Court, a residential house at Treloar College where final year students prepare for adult life.

Dan says: "I've loved every minute at Campbell Court and couldn't praise it enough. You've got the support but can also start to learn how to do things for yourself."

On entering Campbell Court Daniel explained that he had outgrown his old wheelchair, which he had since the age of 11 and affectionately refers to as ‘Jamie' With the help of the Independent Mobility Project at Treloar's, Dan was able to assess and purchase a new wheelchair.

Dan describes his new wheelchair: "It lifts up and down, so I'm now able to reach cupboards. It has a seat that fits me and it's much faster than Jamie! I use it around College and to go to my youth group in Basingstoke. My new wheelchair also has much better tyres."

Daniel's new wheelchair allowed him greater mobility and freedom and helped to build his confidence. As a result Dan now has an apprenticeship with Channel 4, for a company they own called IMG, for a year and a half.

Dan adds: "I'll be editing and logging data and doing some admin work - different roles in different departments, working my way up. I want to get in to radio, to be a modern day Kenny Everett."

Toby Spanton - Treloar's alumni (25 years old)

Building confidence to embark on a legal career

Toby started at Treloar School in 1997, moving through School into College before graduating.

Toby says: "Treloar's made it simpler for me to study and provided a positive environment giving me the confidence to go on to university and to live on my own. They gave me a really great start in life."

While at Treloar College, Toby was able to take advantage of the partnership between Treloar's and Alton College, the local 6th form college.

On leaving Treloar College in 2004 Toby had achieved A levels in Law, sociology, government and politics and health and social care. With these qualifications Toby gained a place at Cardiff University, studying for a law degree.

Since then Toby has moved to London, completed his Legal Practice Course and become a fully qualified lawyer in September 2010. He now works as a litigation lawyer for the GLS and is based at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Ellie- School

Using the latest technology to build confidence

Ellie has cerebral palsy; she joined Treloar's in September 2009.

Ellie says: "I love Treloar's, they've helped me very much. I want to stay at Treloar's and go to College here because I learn lots of subjects and have lots of friends."

Prior to being a student at Treloar's, Ellie was very depressed and withdrawn as she felt that people did not believe she could communicate effectively using her Dynavox. However since arriving at Treloar's staff have helped her to use her Dynavox successfully, allowing her to become more outgoing and positive, and increasing her self-confidence.

Evidence of this is when Ellie spoke up recently about the transport charges that the county council were going to put in place. Ellie expressed her views by using her Dynavox. Ellie has said how she loves being a student at Treloar School, how much she enjoys her lessons, and how she has a good relationship with the staff here.

Mimi- College

The next David Bailey

Mimi has cerebral palsy and currently attends Treloar College.

Mimi is a keen photographer and is currently studying AS Photography and AS Art. Treloar's World of Work team worked with Biocompatibles, a medical research company, based in Farnham to provide Mimi with a photography work experience assignment to take pictures of Biocompatibles team building day held on the grounds of Groomes Country Hotel.

With advice and guidance from her photography tutor at Treloar's Mimi was able to take a collection of high quality photographs for her portfolio. Biocompatibles meanwhile were delighted with the quality of the images.

Mimi says: "This was the right opportunity for me to improve my portfolio and gain some experience with photographing events...just what I wanted for my CV. The day helped me to build up my confidence in communication and interacting with people that I didn't know."

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