Gurpreet’s story

Gurpreet’s journey at National Star

Gurpreet is a vibrant and energetic young woman currently on the Engaging with the World pathway. With a warm presence and growing awareness of her environment, Gurpreet approaches each day with enthusiasm, humour, and increasing independence. Her daily timetable includes communication work, physical therapies, life skills, and personal development, ensuring that every day at college helps her work toward her Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes. 

Finding her voice through communication

When Gurpreet joined National Star, she had challenges with communicating her needs and feelings. After working closely with speech and language therapists, creative therapists and tutors and utilising a total communication approach Gurpreet has developed a personal communication style that works for her.  She began with a phrase sheet and is now using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device alongside her voice, gestures, Makaton signs, and communication books. 

Across college, she regularly uses her AAC device to share her preferences, express feelings, and comment on her environment. Continued input from the speech and language therapy team is helping to personalise her device and support its use across different settings. 

Spending time in student common rooms and taking part in a choir class are giving Gurpreet plenty of opportunities to communicate in real-life settings. 

Learning about her body and boundaries 

Gurpreet’s health and wellbeing sessions are helping her to become more body aware, developing greater awareness of the importance of self-care, safety and social boundaries. 

She is beginning to reflect more deeply during these sessions, often pausing before responding. Her focus has improved, and she has demonstrated an ability to absorb and apply sensitive learning with maturity and care. 

Building physical strength and confidence 

Gurpreet uses a wheelchair and is steadily increasing her mobility through physiotherapy, fitness sessions, and sports, such as cycling. She now uses a walker to move around college and has her own trike, which she enjoys using in the community.  

Her physiotherapy sessions focus on coordination, core strength, and balance. In her aquatic therapy sessions, she uses steps independently to enter and exit the pool. Fitness sessions include supported use of a treadmill and gym equipment, with Gurpreet responding well to gentle encouragement to extend her participation. 

Gurpreet has made significant strides in independently navigating unfamiliar environments using her powered wheelchair. In safe areas of the town centre and park, she moves around freely with support offered near roads and when navigating her way around people.

Connecting socially and emotionally 

Social interaction is one of Gurpreet’s key EHCP goals, and she continues to make positive progress in this area. During times of uncertainty, Gurpreet is more often able to regulate emotionally with the support of staff. With reassurance and communication tools, she is learning to navigate these situations with confidence and resilience. 

Life skills 

Gurpreet is working toward a certificate in Living Skills at Entry Level 1, with a focus on Engaging with People and Having Your Say. She is making consistent progress in daily routines, such as preparing for the bus journey each morning, where she independently gestures for her coat and signs “bus” as well as directing the bus driver to lower the tail lift! In lessons, she demonstrates memory and anticipation by recognising weekly routines and initiating parts of the session, such as roaring as a lion when it’s time for the Drama Circle. 

In yoga, she lets staff know she would prefer a head massage, guiding hands to her head; a subtle but clear sign of her growing ability to express wants and preferences through multiple communication methods. 

Looking ahead 

Gurpreet’s time at National Star is supporting her overall development. With a dedicated team and tailored daily structure, she is not only working towards her formal goals but also discovering her voice, building confidence, and learning how to navigate the world more independently.