We asked our Year 11 pupils to comment on their experience with the CE Academy. Here are just some of their responses:
“My time at Oaklands has been a crazy, mad, enjoyable time and I’m very grateful for everything the school has done for me. Best decision, would recommend it to any other pupils. Key Tutor Sue has always been there for me and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be my tutor, she’s a good teacher and always there to turn to. I wouldn’t have the confidence and skills to do my exams if it wasn’t for the school. THANK YOU.”
“The CE Academy is very good, they have amazing teachers, I will miss you all – sending my love and big hugs to you and good luck with everything, thank you all so much – it means a lot.”
“My key tutor was awesome! She was there when I needed someone to talk to, she listened and she was always so nice and respectful towards me.”
“I have really enjoyed my time here and wish I had been here for longer.”
“I have enjoyed it more than if I had been at my mainstream school. Key tutors are a good idea. Staff help you with personal issues and are supportive and understanding. “
“I have enjoyed coming and the lessons are smaller so it is easier to learn. Everyone is in the same position. Staff are helpful and supportive, they help you with personal stuff, they are always there.”
Letters sent to us from our Pupils:
An email received in 2024 from a former student:
Hello,
I hope you’re all well. Just to quickly introduce myself, my name is (S…N…), and I’m reaching out as a former student who had the privilege (which I couldn't see at the time) of attending Spring Gardens and Fairlawn during some of the most challenging years of my life.
Looking back, I didn’t fully understand the impact that my time at CE Academy had on me. Now, at 23, I can see just how much the compassion, patience, and unwavering support from every teacher there meant. In so many ways, the teachers saved my life. They believed in me when no one else would and saw the qualities in me that I couldn't see myself which is a gift I’ll carry with me forever.
I’m currently studying to become a secondary school teacher, and my experiences at the Academy have given me a powerful sense of purpose: I want to be there for young people who are often overlooked or misunderstood, just as I once was. I want to help others in the same way I was helped.
I’m currently volunteering as a youth leader with young people aged 11-20, learning the importance of empathy, patience, and trust in connecting with and guiding them. But I know there’s so much more to learn, and I would be grateful if there were any work experience opportunities with your team, even if it’s just a chance to shadow or help out part-time while I study. I would love to contribute to the community that once helped me, and I’m eager to gain the insight that only firsthand experience can bring.
If a work experience role isn’t available, any advice or guidance on getting started in this field would mean the world to me. Thank you for considering my request, and for everything you did to set me on this path.
Warm regards,
SNA Big THANK YOU!!
To Adele
You have done so much for me at my time at Overleys. You have helped me through some of the hardest and lowest points, you listened to me, talked to me and gave me a hug whenever I needed one and I can’t thank you enough!
Even though there have been times where I’m sure you could have throttled me, you always gave me the space that I needed to come round.
Without you and the others at Overleys I wouldn’t be half the person and mum I am today, you gave me the chance to grow up and prove myself!
I’ve had such a laugh here and made great memories, and to say I’ll miss you all is an understatement!!
I’m so glad I got the chance to meet you and for you to watch me and my son grow and bond with your help!
Thank you Adele for all your time and support. I will miss you so much, I can’t thank you enough.
You’re one of the loveliest people I’ve ever come across, and I’ll miss the laughs we had!
Lots of love G…… and son
Life in CE
“It is hard sometimes but, no matter what, this school always tries to bring the best out in the pupils. No matter what happens in their life they should know that when they need help they will get it. It tears me up to say goodbye to CE but I need to.
Thank you to Bobbie and the rest of the teachers that have treated me like family. You have made my life worth living and sorry to all the teachers that were there during my bad moods. You guys have been perfect and I wouldn’t change any of my memories with you all.”
Just to say thank you so much
“To Bobbie,
Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for your guidance, for listening to me, always having my back and being totally amazing! You’re friendly, kind, great with advice. You’ve got one of the best hearts and the best brains going! Keep being AMAZING! Thank you!
Just hope you know you’re completely changing kid’s lives for the better! So keep doing what you’re doing, you’re great at it!
I don’t think you quite know how AMAZING you are and you better – it’s taken me ages to write this :)”
Letter to a Key Tutor
"I want to thank you for making such a big impact on my life and making me turn it around totally.
You have really inspired me and you’re who I look up to most. I dread to think how I would’ve ended up without your help, I’m so thankful you’ve made me achieve goals and reach ambitions.
You’ve helped me through times when you didn’t need to and have been someone I could, and can still, rely on. You have really changed my life and helped me!
Don’t forget me, I’ll always keep in contact, lots of love, T xxx.”
Thank you card to a Key Tutor
“I literally don’t even know where to start! First of all thank you for just being you! For getting me through the hardest time in my life. I really don’t think I’d still be here if it wasn’t for you!
Without even trying you make my mood 100 times better. You have given me the best advice and literally been a mum to me! Whether it’s been helping me get the confidence to film a video in expressive arts or helping me with a panic attack, every day you make a difference in my life.
Every time something good or bad happens in my life you’re the person I want to tell and it makes me so sad that I won’t be able to just go to school and talk to you anymore.
Don’t ever change because you’re a unique, amazing person and if I am ever half the person you are I’d be so happy. Eat Ben and Jerry’s forever,
Love, S xx
PS I’ll email all the time – you can’t get rid of me that easy!”
Letter to a Key Tutor
“I know I’ve written you a short letter already but I have way more to say now. I will never be able to find the correct words to explain how thankful I am. Aye, look how far we’ve both come, from you being a support teacher to a teacher but most importantly my key tutor – you took me on, yes you had a choice but I’m thankful you wanted me.
You’ve made such a massive impact on me and my life in many different ways. You believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself, you helped me when you could’ve just walked away. You’ve done nothing but be there for me and guide me onto the correct path every time I slipped up and there is nothing in this world that could show how thankful I am for that.
You had plenty of chances to leave and pretend nothing was happening but you did the complete opposite, in reality, you saved me when I couldn’t even save myself and I owe you a lot for that. Your advice helped me more than you think and I don’t think you realise how amazing you actually are. If I could be half the woman you are when I’m older it would be an honour because your strength and kindness inspires me so much.
You’ve been my main support through my time at (the Academy) and I’m glad I spent it around someone as inspiring as you. Memories we’ve had will forever be a part of me, from Govilon (school trip), to your random selfie spams, to even the collection of post-it notes I have will be remembered.
You’ve helped me become the person I am today and I know it’s only the beginning for me but I’m sure it’ll work out in the end and if it isn’t okay then it’s not the end, right? Don’t think for a second you’ve gotten rid of me because I’ll be expecting a night out once I turn 18.
Even though you are only a teacher you’ve given me support like a mother and protected me like a sister. You’ve done more for me than anyone ever has and for that I owe my recovery to you, it’s a long way out but once I get there I’ll let you know. You’ve made some of the worst experiences so much easier for me, from my sister, my brother, to even being taken to hospital and spending my first ever time in there. You were there the whole time, I’ve never known a teacher care that much about me let alone anyone in general.
You supported me when I hit rock bottom, you picked me up when I was down and you always managed to make me smile when I didn’t even think it was possible.
You’re an amazing woman and I’m grateful I got to know you. You made me realise that not everyone walks away when things get tough, instead you stuck by me the whole time and I guess that’s why I trusted you so much (you must have something special because I don’t trust many people).
Your words of advice will always stay with me, they make sense more and more each day.
Thank you for fighting for me when I couldn’t even fight for myself, thank you for believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself and thank you for being the most amazing, strong and kindest woman I know. You are truly amazing and for that I will never forget how much you have done for me not only as a teacher but as a human.
Keep smiling, love you always, C”
