Praise for QEST team

Maria Barber, Louise Pennington and Stella Jones

A TEAM of specialist staff who help children with special needs have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award by grateful parents.

The Quality and Effectiveness Support Team (QEST), based at Limeside Primary School have been singled out for praise by the parents of a young boy with autism who was struggling at school.

The father explained: “As a family we had really hit rock bottom with our situation.

“Our son, now 10, had three years in school, but the fourth year was dreadful.

“We got help with his needs statement and access to changing schools and over 12 months we had their support.

“Now he is happy and settled in school and has a social life.

“We can’t speak highly enough of the people involved and the calibre of the team.

“The professionalism and support of the team as a whole took a lot of the stress and strain off us.

“They became involved with us as a family when we were at the lowest point we could be at.

“They are an amazing team of people who go that extra mile to ensure our borough’s children with additional needs are included and receive the help they need.”

The nomination was for team members past and present.

Quest team leader Rowan Braidley said: “I am delighted the team has been nominated for this award.”

Also nominated was Stella Jones from Oldham Council’s statementing service, based at the Civic Centre.

The QEST team works with children from nursery age to Year 11 to support provision and inclusion in Oldham schools for pupils with special needs.

It includes experienced teachers who monitor the progress of individual pupils or groups of pupils.