A teacher was being credited after writing a letter to an autistic student after failing his exams, which later went viral on social media.
Gail Twist, the mother of Ben Twist, a child who lives with autism, shared the letter on Twitter, where it was retweeted thousands of times.
“They are important and you have done so well, but Ben Twist is made up of many other skills and talents that we at Lansbury Bridge see and measure in other ways,” the letter reads.
In tears. A letter to my 11 yr old autistic son from his school. “These tests only measure a little bit of you” pic.twitter.com/e9OPECidxX
— Gail Twist🐝 (@gailtwist) July 9, 2016
Gail Twist said the note came as a surprise.
“The letter came as a complete surprise, it was just so wonderful and the most beautiful letter I’ve ever read. The fact that they’d addressed it to Ben was just so lovely too, he was so surprised and said how ‘awesome’ it was and couldn’t believe they really thought that about him,” she told the Daily Mirror.
“He’s such a sensitive and loving child and he’s got an amazing sense of humour – it’s amazing that the school are able to recognise that our children have other qualities than what they are tested on,” she added.
Head teacher Jane Grecic also said that “the letter (teacher) Ruth sent him is similar to one she sent last year to another pupil but obviously this one was personalised for Ben outlining his key strengths and interests. Ruth sent it for no reason other than to reassure Ben that he is a wonderful talented young man regardless of the outcome of the tests.”
Here is the letter in full:
“Dear Ben,
I am writing you to congratulate you on your attitude and success in completing your end of key stage SATs.
Gil, Lynn, Angela, Steph and Anne have worked so well with you this year and you have made some fabulous progress.
I have written to you and your parents to tell you the results of the tests.
A very important piece of information I want you to understand is that these tests only measure a little bit of you and your abilities. They are important and you have done so well, but Ben Twist is made up of many other skills and talents that we at Lansbury Bridge see and measure in other ways.”
She then went on in the letter to list the things Ben succeeded at.
“Other talents you have that these tests do not measure include: -Your artistic talents, your ability to work in a team, your growing independence, your kindness, your ability to express your opinion, your abilities in sports, your ability to make and keep friends, your ability to discuss and evaluate your own progress, your design and building talents, and your musical ability.
We are so pleased that all of these different talents and abilities make you the special person you are and these are all of the things we measure to reassure us that you are always making progress and continuing to develop as a lovely, bright young man.
Well done Ben, we are very proud of you.
Best Wishes,
Mrs. Clarkson”
