Shenstone Alumni

Charlie L, now age 26! 

Charlie is now 26 years old. When he was in year 4, he joined Shenstone Primary and was at the Crayford site in Mary’s class for two years.  When he moved to Shenstone, the family felt that it was the perfect fit for him as the school were able to fully understand his needs and Mary and the TAs were amazing.  It was the best move for him, and as a family we felt really supported.  The school engaged well with families and offered social events so that we could get to know and support each other and mix as a parent community. 

Charlie then moved on to Marlborough in Sidcup and spent his secondary years there.  He made some great friends and his cheeky side really started to shine through. During these years, he enjoyed attending SNAP sessions and youth club, the children’s respite centre in Falconwood along with the Saturday club run by MCCH. 

Charlie attended the Marlborough School Further Education Centre (FEC) until he was 19, and then went on to college. He attended the Adult Education Centre in Bexleyheath until he was 25, where he enjoyed courses that embedded some great life skills and other fun subjects like photography.  

Charlie loves Michael Jackson, especially Thriller and Billy Jean. He enjoys showcasing his singing and dancing at every opportunity, especially in the show that his Day Centre puts on. He is quite the little superstar with a microphone, having learnt his skills watching the Funstars at Haven holidays. He currently attends the Ken Boyce Centre and has some great friends there and loves boxing, shop cook and eat and riding on the Superloop bus with his friends if it means a McDonald’s at the end! You will always find Charlie with the DJ at parties and he does not stop dancing!  His other great passions are all things Halloween and all things Disney!

He loves socialising, especially with the ladies,  and enjoys having a coke in the pub, eating out, watching YouTube and listening to music and doodling on his kindle. 

Charlie worked for a while with the Greenwich Market maintenance team and was helping stall holders get their stock at the beginning of the day. Unfortunately, it was only a short-term opportunity but he’s looking forward to working again. 

Dominic Bush, now age 22!

He went to Marlborough School until aged 19. Then went to LSEC college in Erith (Nido Volans centre) for one year, doing their pre-entry level course on life skills and ‘performing arts’.
Then in 2023 he started a 3 year course as a weekly residential boarder at St Piers college in Surrey. He is now half way through this course and will finish there in July 2026. He is thriving there and embracing all of the amazing experiences and challenges they offer at this superb college! He likes helping on the farm and making wooden sculptures in the multi-skills barn.

We are planning the next steps for Dominic, which will be to live full time in Supported Living and attend an adult education centre and hopefully do work experience. He wants to work on a farm, work with trains or do something helping other people!

What did he get the most of out of his time at Shenstone? I would say that he benefitted most from the expertise of the staff and the structure of specialist activities. Having therapists on site was perfect too.

What was the most important part of the curriculum for him? I think the therapy activities: specialist speech, physio and occupational therapy allowed him to develop and reach his full potential.

Any special Shenstone moments/ messages you'd like to share? Thank you to all the staff who were so kind, friendly and encouraging. I will never forget his last teacher: Mary!!!! She knew exactly how to get the most out of Dominic and when he needed ‘chill time’. (Chill time is still a very important part of Dominic’s life!)
I will always remember the time when we were all dancing round the Maypole and when we all participated in sports day!!

Thank you for starting Dom on his journey. He is successful and a joy.

Jesse James is 13 now and attends Marlborough School and Northwest Kent College

What did your son/ daughter get the most out of at Shenstone? 'Made friends and got on really well with the teachers and Health Care Assistant.'

What was most important in the curriculum for you? 'That my son got hydrotherapy and learning with switch toys.'

What was most important in the curriculum for your son/ daughter? 'Friendship, laughter, feeling safe, life and social skills. Reading, writing, handling money/maths.'

Any special Shenstone moments/ messages you'd like to share? 'We miss you all.' 

Joseph is now 32

'An exciting highlight was when it was suggested that the pupils should experience a night camping! All the tents were set up in the nursery playground, the children brought in sleeping bags, teddies and their warm PJs and slept overnight in the tents with the teachers and TAs'

'Joseph's favourite teacher was and still is Mary. Joseph still talks about Mary'

'Joseph then left Shenstone and joined Marlborough Secondary School as there was not a Shenstone Secondary School way back then but he did enjoy his time at Marlborough. He had lovely staff and made some good friends. They enjoyed a school journey to Littlehampton.  He took part in travel training and also attended a short link course in construction.'

'Joseph now attends Peppercorns Day Centre in Dartford (2 days) and Ken Boyce Day Centre in Sidcup (3 days).  He loves both centres and leads a very busy and full life. In Peppercorns, he is a member of the walking group on Thursdays, and he plays tennis with Peppercorn staff support on Tuesdays (followed by a trip to the pub for a well earned pint of coca-cola). They do offer other activities including cooking, volunteering in their charity shop, swimming and computing. In Ken Boyce Day Centre there are absolutely loads of activities going on, including trips to the seaside, various places of interest, farm visits, cafè visits, discos, cream teas, seasonal parties and swimming etc. 

'Shenstone School gave Joseph a good start in life, they taught him well and sent him on his journey towards adulthood ... thank you so much to all the staff that helped him, cared for him and put up with him x'

Click here to read Joseph's full account.

Mykal is now 13 and is at Cleeve Meadow

What did your son/ daughter get the most out of at Shenstone? 'The kind and friendly environment, the sensory rooms and fun activities and learning.'

What was most important in the curriculum for your son/ daughter? 'English'

Any special Shenstone moments/ messages you'd like to share? 'The jubilee party was lovely. I was able to bring his brother who attends the other school. Both boys had that experience to share together thanks to Shenstone. The teacher Mary really made him feel welcomed and happy to be there.'

Kirsten Vye, now age 24!

Kirsten attended Shenstone many years ago ( around 2003 from memory). She is now 24 years old.

Kirsten has had many health challenges during her life and these are still ongoing, but we are persevering and moving on with positivity.

Kirsten has recently left a wonderful College in Surrey where she enjoyed a fabulous placement as a Day Student. She now attends a split placement Day Centre opportunity in Kent and in the Bexley Borough.

Life continues to be both challenging AND rewarding but Kirsten seems happy with her life. This week she’s been sailing, swimming, picnicing in the park and tonight she is attending a Disco!