Summer/Autumn 2009. Below are some excerpts from recent, unsolicited letters sent to Bredon School.

• "We are very pleased that our daughter has really thrived this year. She is being stretched at Bredon in so many ways and it is really bringing the best out of her."

• "I will start by saying that were I as eloquent as Wordsworth I could never do justice to the positive feelings and emotions we have towards Bredon School and its magnificent staff. When our son joined you he was a sad, lonely boy who had given up on himself and been given up by most of the people around him. His previous two schools - both expensive with generally good reputations - had failed him, to the extent that we had been told he was unteachable, would never achieve anything and was on the road to expulsion. Four years later however, he has just sat nine GCSE’s, eight of which we anticipate to be at grade C or above, and has been accepted to study four A levels at one of the top colleges in the country, with a view to taking a degree at the end of that. But more importantly still, he has developed into a confident, outgoing, gregarious young man, the complete opposite of the child you admitted. He has made many new and valuable friends and learnt life skills and lessons that he will call upon for the rest of his life, wherever it may take him. Thank you."
   
• "Just a quick note to say we can’t believe that our son is almost at the end of his first year at Bredon. Everyone who has seen him recently has been amazed and delighted by his confidence. Please could you forward our thanks to all the staff for all their support and positive attitude that has created such a wonderful change in him."

• "I am amazed at the progress the school has made over the years since I was there. Since both my parents were out of the picture, as we say here in the States, the staff at school became my family and gave me the life skills I possess today. All my success in both civilian and Army life can be directly traced to the schooling and mentoring I received at Bredon School. (Letter from an Old Bredonian).

• "I was delighted with our daughter’s results. Six years ago when you showed that shy, insecure little girl around I never thought that she would gain any formal qualifications at all. Here she is with four GCSEs – one at grade C and a bronze Duke of Edinburgh award! Thank you Bredon School."
   
• "Two years ago our son came to Bredon an anxious child disabled by his previous educational experience. Now he is an enthusiastic, confident and caring young person with a big heart who knows he will be able to do whatever he puts his mind to in life."
   
• "Prior to joining you, our son was a sad little boy who had given up on himself: even when discussing the move to Bredon he said: 'It doesn’t matter where I go, I will still fail: it’s just me; I am useless.' If you contrast that with the boy we have today you may begin to appreciate what you have achieved. In his entire school life we have never seen him so happy and confident, he clearly loves the School and is truly blossoming."
   
• "As parents we are very proud that our daughter is able to attend such a unique School as Bredon. Reading the recent inspection report confirms how hard you all work and the dedication that your staff put into educating the children of Bredon. We just wanted to say: Thank you and well done.”

• “We would like to thank you and all the staff at Bredon who have worked with our son over the years for the tremendous support he has been given, both in the junior and senior School. One thing that became very clear was just how much of an impact the environment at Bredon had on our son, not only in terms of academic support but the emotional support that was so important in helping him have the confidence to succeed.”

• “Our son just loves your School. He says: 'The teachers encourage the things you can do, but also they understand and know what you find difficult.' I think something that comes across is that the teachers seem to have this ability to understand and interact with a child.”

• “I had the most wonderful telephone conversation with my son last night when he described the weekend as probably the best weekend of his life. He thought the scenery was amazing, the group dynamics fantastic and his mates awesome. He used words and phrases that I have never heard him use before; it was a great pleasure to hear.”