Zoe and David really wanted him to go to mainstream school and he was already familiar with St Marks as 'Rara' his older sister had been there for a couple of years. Willies favourite teacher before he even began was Mr Warrender...he had heard him playing the guitar in assembly (watching Rara) - when he was only 2.and became his no 1 fan. Playing guitar usually got you on Willie's 'most accepted' list.
I was impressed he could recall such a long name :) Sadly His son Harry Warrender was not a guitar player and despite infinite attempts by Harry to make friends with Willlie, he never gelled with him. Poor Harry was sad about that, but no amount of cajoling would entice Willie to return the open hand of friendship.
He flouted the uniform rules and wore light grey elasticated jogging bottoms. These were more comfortable round his waist and the head teacher eventually caved in to allowing a deviant to the smart and strict uniform at St Marks primary school in Cold Ash. Occaisionally his navy granddad style jumper made an appearance. This was definitely his favourite as it had more pockets for his daily treasure.
Children are excellent at accepting each other and having a high level of tolerance. Willie only extended that policy to a chosen few. There was no rhyme or reason ...sometimes a spark of devilment in a character that would amuse him, helped. I can still hear the irritation in his voice if someone tried to join in with an activity. "JaaaDe Noooo" he would say determined not to share the play dough.
Play dough was one of the few activities he relished, water play, sand pits and mud digging also in his top 5. Reading, Writing, listening, Maths, drawing, painting "Noooooo" in fact Willie didn't ever learn to read , maybe he knew it was irrelevant.
Phonic books were often discarded by posting them through a gap in the fence, or trying to bury them in a freshly dug hole, as one teacher recalls. Carol Collis has many fond memories of his thwarted attempts to hide any book given to him. She remembers being at his memorial service and realizing he probably knew he wouldn't be needing that skill in his lifetime.
He had absolutely no interest in reading. The only book he loved was Crispin the pig. It was a story about a pig who had so many toys but no friends. One day Crispin started playing in a big cardboard box that he imagined was a spaceship or other exciting things and through this imaginative play he met lots of friends. Willie loved the story with a passion, and we read it regularly. I often wondered if this was a reflection of how he felt himself , sadly no 'normal' friendships were ever made...possibly because he always had a carer in tow. he did also prefer the companionship of older children than his peers and in particular adults.
Everyday school curricula like sitting on the mat first thing were the hardest times to get him to conform. I resorted sometimes to whispering in his ear "If you are quiet you will hear the teacher f***. This made him giggle which did get us a look from the teacher but actually kept him quiet for a few minutes.
The dressing up corner was a firm favourite, and playing shops or 'cooking' on the toy cooker. As his teaching assistant in reception it was my job remit to help engage Willie in each subject. His teachers job shared, Mrs Zealey I believe set his targets and goals. Mrs Zealey was known to be strict by nature, a little scary (mostly the parents were scared) but I have to confess she was brilliant with Willie and his education. Mrs Collis was softer spoken and not scary at all. I believe he liked them equally and did want to please them both. it was a challenging time for all the teachers to provide the right level of education for Willie, and at the same time not being too soft inspite of his illness. I believe the whole school adapted brilliantly and on reflection I felt it was an important and rewarding time for him.
He loved Mrs Marshall one of the other assistants as he thought she was a bit 'silly and lots of fun". After I left he did have many other one to one teaching assistants that I know have fond memories of him and their time together. Memories of them 'enjoying?' and 'exasperating' at the same time lol. Each and everyone adapted to his needs and understood his need to enjoy school within the educational system. They succeeded on the whole, as it was a mammoth task to cajole Willie to stay inside - even on the coldest wettest day..convincing the teachers with his persuasive arguments that there was every good reason to dig in the mud, despite the huge storm going on. They found themselves questioning their own rationale and almost caved in. Willie held the key to their hearts and they all allowed him a certain amount of bending the rules, often flouting them outrageously.
Tania Edwards his year 2 teacher, gave an incredible comic and fond performance of Willie at his memorial service, stripping off at the front to reveal the hidden drill tucked in the top of her trousers. He definitely made his mark at the school.
He would get grumpy if one of his least favourite classmates tried to help him or join in an activity. "Goooo away..Matthew" - he knew everyone's name he had an excellent memory capacity, and only had to be told once. I can't remember the names of all those in his year, and the rest of the school, so I'm making them up - eeek - if Willie was still here he would be able to reel off each and everyone of the 160? pupils in the school at that time.
He bought out the best in his peers, they looked out for him, called out his name after he lost his sight, so as to identify themselves, and generally accepted him for himself. They tried to make him giggle, and wanted to befriend him in the playground. they took great care not to injure him in anyway and so treaded carefully around him.
Zoe has given a trophy of 'kindness' in memory of Willie to be presented to a pupil that has been particularly caring during the school year. The first year it was presented to his whole class, for all their love and support to Willie through the years. They were amazing.
PE was almost an impossible task trying to cajole him to run in a straight line from one post to another. These kind of activities were not in line with meandering around the field finding mud to dig and sticks to pick up ...he usually ran straight back towards the classroom moaning lol.
He did enjoy ball games and sometimes the apparatus could be fun....one of my most memorable days was the sports day that Willie took part in. I stood with Zoe the other side of the rope held by two parents at the finish line. All the other little ones aged 6 ran as fast as they could wind sailing by their ears, giggling and falling over as they threw themselves across the finish line.
Willie, with all the stamina and speed he could muster walked/jogged towards me and his mum, unperturbed by the fact he was a long way behind his competitors. The others long since finished, turned and watched, the whole of the school - pupils, parents and staff cheering him on. All united in compassion and willing him to keep going "Willie Willie" they all chanted. Zoe and Rheanna watched on with pride. His teaching assistant within 'catching distance' should he trip and fall.
This short chubby little boy, in baggy navy shorts and sky blue t-shirt, blond curls swaying, headed home to the finish with the biggest cheekiest grin on his face ...over the finish line and into my arms as I swept him up and twirled him round hugging him tight...to the cheers of the crowd...I placed him back on the floor and he proudly accepted his sticker, from the smiling parent.
A huge achievement, and a tremendous effort - recognised by the onlookers...probably not a dry eye on the field. Zoe was so amazed and proud of her brave boy, even though she was unable to pick him up herself she beamed from ear to ear as I swung him in the air. Willie was buoyant with excitement and relished his victory.
Such glee on his face as he was determined to get to the finish line.
(Watched closely by Mrs Ingram his T/A at the time)
A victory smile and a winning hug with mummy.
Without a doubt Willie was a winner that day. There were other special days and many happy memories..some I will continue in a later blog. For now I will leave you with the image of that little man running like he had never ran before, and hope you can hear the crowds as loudly as I can.
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