Published on 12, July, 2020
I have noticed questions by carers about their children during lunch breaks. This got me thinking of my own experience.
I left school over 40 years ago and it is only in the last few years I realized I was autistic.
When I was at school a lot of lessons were quite formal which suited me. However when it came to lunchtime as all the schools I went to were nearby I went home for lunch. In the Junior school quite a few people went home for lunchtime which was nearly an hour and a half. Most occasions when I stayed it was for a club but I didn't like being at school for the whole day and especially the long lunch break.
I wonder if modern schools are more of a challenge for autistics.
The most unhappy days of my life.
Infant + junior school I was bullied and struggled because it wasn't until I was 9 that the teachers realised I was acutely short-sighted and needed glasses.
In the junior school I wore hand-me-downs and even my mother's old shoes!
I didn't pass my 11+ so went to a Secondary Modern school where I wasn't expected to take exams.
The pattern repeated itself.
It was only when the school became Comprehensive that the opportunity to study presented itself so I managed to scrape by with some 'O' and 'A' levels, in spite of having only the library to study in as I lived in a noisy council house and shared a bedroom with my sister.
Our group were the 1st pupils in the school to study for 'A' levels, ever.
I hate the 11+ and Secondary Modern concept and am so glad it ended.
The bullying never really stopped though and I still have nightmares about school.
Sorry to give such a depressing reply.
Really interesting topic.
Thank you.
I am sorry you had such a difficult time and still have nightmares about it. You sound a lovely person and very knowledgeable about wildlife.