“When I first started at the school, I was terrified as it was so big. I had never worked in a school before, so everything was new. I took over from a wonderful nurse called Sister Court, who had been there for a VERY long time and was much loved by the pupils. She had been trying to retire for years and kept getting asked to stay as they couldn’t find the right person to fit the role. This made my start even more scary as I had big shoes to fill.

However, the staff were amazing and so welcoming, I think I settled in quite quickly with their help. I was blown away by the facilities the school offered, as my own children had gone through the state system, I couldn’t compare the opportunities that the pupils at LEH had. The grounds, the environment, school trips and the funny, brilliant, kind teachers they had. I was so impressed.

A singular highlight of my time there is difficult to quantify, so many good times from big things, like accompanying pupils on the most amazing school trips, and going places and learning about things I may not have had the opportunity to do in “normal” life, to sitting and chatting having hot chocolate with pupils in the medical room.

I love the pupils, their fun and brightness is unequivocal. I loved hearing the latest gossip from them and who was doing what. Obviously, there were days when it wasn’t all jolly, but overall I think it has been a joy working at the school and my memories of pupils and staff will stay with me always.

Lockdown was crazy, wasn’t it? At some points I was helping run the testing centre within the school, along with lots of other great staff, my daughter and son even came in and joined the team for a while. The rest of the time I went back to the NHS to work on the wards. Amazingly not much had changed and although I enjoyed it, I knew it wouldn’t be forever and my feet hurt A LOT! Clearly not the spring chicken I used to be!

Before I left the school, I was lucky enough to be able to help set up the Wellbeing room for the pupils, this is something we had been looking at for a while, and I was delighted to help fit it out (who doesn’t like a trip to Ikea?). This is probably my favourite place in the school, it was designed with LEH pupils in mind, to give them a space where they could just slow down for a little while and breathe.

When I started nursing, many moons ago, I was bright eyed, bushy-tailed and determined to make a difference. I think we all feel that way don’t we? I really hope that I managed to do this in a small way at LEH.

I would love to thank everyone who has been a part of my LEH life, all the staff and the pupils, past and present. The lovely supportive parents who were always there to listen to advice and share their wisdom in return, and who were grateful for our nursing department. And a special thank you for loving Barney, and having him trot around the school accepting hugs, and kisses from everyone, you helped him live his best life.

I really hope I will stay in contact with all the news and updates from this amazing school and all who are involved with it.”