EDUCATION

Samuel started his education in 2003 as a 3 year old attending Puss in Boots Nursery, Poole. He enjoyed Nursery and at the time he had not been diagnosed with his brain tumour, and to our knowledge still had his full vision. 

However after his diagnosis in February 2004 and commencement of chemotherapy it was important for Samuel's parents to acknowledge that whilst they could not control all the issues with his health they could attempt to ensure he was set to commence compulsory education in September 2004. This included his statement of educational needs. 

Samuel's family consider themselves very fortunate and grateful for the support they received from the Hearing & Vision Support Team (Parent and Pupil Support), and from the schools Lilliput C of E (VC) First School and Baden Powell & St. Peters CE Middle School.

Samuel was being prepared to start at Lilliput First School in September 2004 with a one-one teaching assistant, and based on his limited vision at time of diagnosis he would work with enlarged print. It quickly became very apparent though that Samuel was losing his remaining vision rapidly and that he would have completely lost his vision before starting school. It was therefore planned for him to commence at Lilliput School learning to read and write Grade 2 braille.

He loved going to Lilliput First School supported by a wonderful Head Teacher Julie Jeans and all her staff. He had special relationships with his one-one teaching assistants Jan Selby, Sara Davies and lastly Di Whitelegg who were supported by Elizabeth McAuley from Hearing and Visual Support Team, who was a phenomenal support both to Samuel and his family.

Samuel loved everything about school, the environment, the staff and his friends. His blindness did not deter him. With appropriate adaptations made by the school, and considerations to his learning needs, he quickly progressed.

He loved to tell jokes and introduced his humour from the outset. He tricked one teacher at an early stage by claiming he could tell the colour of his coat peg by sniffing it. With a deadpan face he sniffed it and announced the correct colour. This lead to questions as to how he had identified the colour by smell, this was followed by Samuel chuckling as he had already known the colour.

Academically he was a very bright boy and he excelled in mainstream school. He achieved so much through friendship, humour, determination, and his stubbornness.

At Lilliput First School,with the support Samuel received, and with his determination, there was no limit to what he could achieve and no difficulty integrating into all aspects of the curriculum. He became very proficient at reading and writing Grade 2 braille and he could touch type on a QWERTY keyboard. He played a very active part as a student within the school and during after school clubs.

In December 2005 Samuel was asked to prepare a list of his views following his first year at school. They were:

I like the songs that are taped for me.
I like playing in the playground.
I like hard work.
I like my time learning braille.
I like very tricky maths.
I love not having any bells.
I am happy with everything.

This list summed up a good first year for Samuel and was probably applicable to all four years at Lilliput First School He formed many wonderful friendships with children at school, who viewed Samuel as a special friend, he just happened to be blind. Parents of these children have echoed the positive impact that Samuel had on other children through his academic ability and his caring good natured character. He became involved with Lilliput First School in arranging Shades Day each year i to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and with his acute sense of smell he assisted in setting up the school herb garden. His ability with Braille also helped effect changes at Poole Hospital. He attended meetings and made recommendations with regards signage, and the production of braille and audible food menus that has been taken forward by the hospital.

In September 2008 Samuel started at Baden Powell & St.Peters Middle School. He was again really well supported by the school and by Di Whitelegg and Elizabeth McAuley who continued with Samuel to support him at the new school. He was excited about going to Middle School, following in his older brother’s footsteps. He enjoyed his limited time there and his class teacher Michael Peters. It was towards the end of term, Christmas 2008 that Samuel's health deteriorated more substantially and he did not return to school in 2009. Samuel's parents found invaluable, and were grateful for, having excellent communication with the Schools and the Vision Support Team. They could not have wished for better or more genuine support for Samuel throughout his education. 

Samuel returned to Lilliput School in November last year as ex student and celebrity to open new play equipment. Samuel whilst at the school had always requested a slide as play apparatus due to his love of any form of slide. Samuel's return was to officially open new play apparatus at the school which was a wooden pirate ship inclusive of slide. The pirate ship which Samuel was so pleased and proud to open was very kindly named “The Jolly Samuel”.

Both Schools have continued to support Samuel's family and his memory by the yearly presentation at each school of the Samuel Oldridge 5 Tenets Trophy. They have also supported, and led on, sponsored events to raise money for charities that supported Samuel.