What our pupils say - (click on pupil name)

Marianna Krupnikova in Year 10 and halfway through her GCSEs
Matthew Greathead in Year 12
Robert Readman in Year 8

Marianna Krupnikova in Year 10 and halfway through her GCSEs
Before I came to Stanbridge I was bullied by pupils and by my teachers because I was different. They thought I was stupid, not just dyslexic. None of them had heard of dyslexia.

When I was 13 I went to America where I was tested. I couldn't stand school. I tried my best. I really did try. They never realised how hard I tried. I had problems with everything. My writing and maths were my biggest problems. It was just horrible and I got bullied and victimised very badly.

For me, a typical day at Stanbridge would be to get woken by Mrs Lister around 7am. I shower and dress but don't go to breakfast - it's too early for me. I eat in the house and watch a film. Then off to my tutor group followed by lessons.

After lessons there are activities. We do sports three times a week and then art club, or something less sporty on the other days. Because I am dyspraxic I don't enjoy sports but I do them. I really enjoy the discussion group where we talk about current affairs and what goes on in the world. Last Tuesday we went to Westminster and that was really interesting.

After activities we get changed and have a break before dinner, then prep. After prep I can hang around with my friends, both boys and girls, or watch TV. Sometimes I go up to my room to watch a film or to read.

Things that have helped me most have been my ALC and MLC lessons. My ALC helps me with my reading and creative writing. I love to write but my spelling and grammar put me off it. I really enjoy reading now. I couldn't stand books before but now my friends can't stand it because I read so much.

Before, I really struggled in Maths. When I came to Stanbridge they put me in the top set. I thought it was a mistake and I waited to be moved but I'm still in the top set two years later. I think I'm doing tremendously well and really enjoy my one to one MLC lessons.

I used to have no confidence, but the one to one lessons have given me the most confidence. Although I still rely on my teachers, I have gradually become more independent of them.

It's surprisingly easy to make friends here and I've made very good friends with both the boys and the girls. I get on very well with most teachers which I didn't do in my old school. Rather than being told that I can't do this or that, the teachers here tell me the opposite and give me lots of confidence in myself. They're more than happy to explain things to you over and over until you get them rather than giving up on you.

Because I am an International Student, I stay in at week ends. It can be boring, but we are taken into Southampton on Saturday where I hang out with my friends. We shop and eat at KFC or Macdonalds. In the evenings we watch a film or read.

Stanbridge has changed me in many, many ways. I thought I would never be able to do things, but I have so much confidence now. I believe I can do the job I want - a psychologist. Although my maths and science are my weakest points, with all the help I get, I actually think I can do it.

Sometimes school is boring and frustrating but Stanbridge is a very wonderful school. I shall be moving on to another school next year, but I am very happy that I came here because now I actually have a chance.

WHAT OUR PUPILS SAY