Philip’s the only pupil in his school!

Parents go it alone to give their boy a bright future
THERE’S a personal approach to education at Oldham’s smallest primary school — for there’s only one pupil!

Parents Dixon Milburn and Zoe Thompson set up Bright Futures School just for their 11-year-old son Philip Milburn to help with his autism.

But he may not be the only pupil for long as there are now six families actively seeking placements and two already booked in for viewing appointments.

Set in an idyllic detached house along Oldham Road in Grasscroft, the school, a registered charity, is the culmination of their struggles, dreams and ultimate risks brought about by Asperger’s Syndrome.

They spent late nights trawling through internet sites and stacks of research books following Philip’s diagnosis.

One book in particular stuck out to Zoe, a former grant assessor and project manager.

“Schools From Scratch” would eventually become a road map to their new venture and new life.

Philip was three when the family noticed he was different, he became isolated in the classroom, unable to read other people’s emotions and at times distant.

Zoe said: “It quickly became apparent social interaction was too challenging and the relationship with the school broke down.

“It was partly because the school didn’t have the right resources, couldn’t properly support him and didn’t understand the condition.”

It was during a 3am foray into autism research that Zoe stumbling across the RDI method — Relationship Development Intervention.

Based around the idea of developing autistic children to feel comfortable out of the confines of a rigid routine, the school aims to introduce small, manageable changes into everyday activities. But it was not simply the idea of setting up their own school and curriculum that seemed daunting.

The couple had to borrow money to fund expert opinions to represent themselves at a tribunal with the council.

They emerged victorious from the fight after the local authority initially refused to provide Philip with a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

“Family and friends have seen us struggle as a family with the impact and go through terrible difficulties. They really see behind what we are doing,” said Zoe.

After a substantial and detailed feasibility study, the couple were given a grant from the Enterprise Investment Fund from the Department of Health to cover the school’s first year running costs.

And so Bright Futures Limited was born.

Zoe added: “It’s not a typical solution, but we are not a typical family. It’s exciting and challenging, we feel like we’re doing something quite innovative.”

Cooking classes, bird watching, swimming and treehouse fun now sit alongside more traditional academic subjects for Philip.

Dixon and Zoe are directors of the school and the charity, which boasts one teacher and three teaching assistants.

Zoe added: “Children can be down, withdrawn and some just explode when they come home from school as they have tried to cope with incredibly challenging social situations.

“That will resonate with a lot of parents.

“It’s been tough and challenging but is also really rewarding.

“As a result Philip has flourished, he’s more assured, engaged, he’s personality has just shone through.

“He’s sparky, intelligent and he’s got a really good sense of humour.

“The quality of our family life has improved.”

The family are now hoping that their mission will act as a beacon of hope for other families coping with autism.