SCOTT

Scott and his family (Mum, Dad and his four brothers) appeared at the door of Broad Town School unexpectedly one day having had a major fall out at the school in Wootten Bassett.

At the time Scott was only three and was the surliest child I'd come across. Couldn't raise a smile or establish eye-contact, very aggressive and angry - BUT one of the most beautiful children I'd ever set eyes on.

His brothers were like peas in a pod and were all destined to be heartbreakers, with the exception of the fourth boy who bore no resemblance to the others and who turned out to be the result of his mother's extra-marital relationship with another man. The father of the other boys agreed to raise this child, but not a day went past when he wasn't reminded that he was not really one of the family. He was a quiet, compliant child, to whom my heart went out. I taught him for two years and.although he found most aspects of learning difficult, he tried his hardest to succeed - and he did indeed make good progress.

Because Broad Town was a small rural primary school, there were only three classes, so the boys were distributed across all three groups. They were rough and ready - quite an exception at this little school where the majority of kids were extremely privileged (and very often thoroughly spoiled).

We put in lots of extra hours with this family and the results were spectacular - although at this stage Scott still wasn't school age. However. he DID attend the playgroup attached to my school and promptly got himself excluded after just one day because of his somewhat colourful language and aggressive behaviour. The other children were frightened apparently.

He entered my mixed pre-reception/reception/year one/year two class (quite a challenge I can tell you, especially when you're the head as well!) like a whirlwind, but with patience and consistency he very quickly became my star pupil (apart from Sam who managed to lead the lesson and score 'outstanding' from Ofsted!)

Scott transformed before our eyes into a little sponge who only wanted to learn, succeed and to please people, in much the same way as his brother - the one who was singled out by the rest of his family. I had them both in my class for a couple of years and they were both a pleasure to teach and just to spend time with.

When I left the school I was presented with a photo frame, you know one of those 'For a Very Special Teacher' ones, complete with a family portrait of the boys and for a while after my return to Northumberland, Scott would send little messages, with the aid of his Mum.

I have lost touch now, but the saddest aspect of all of this, is that in the year after I left (not that I'm attributing any of this to MY influence you understand) the brother who was different went completely off the rails. He turned to arson, at home initially and then at school, he became completely uncontrollable and ended up being excluded permanently from my little school. My heart still bleeds for that child - none of it was his fault, but he was made to live with his difference every day of his life.