“Wow. Do they really think that about me? I feel amazing.”

This is 39-year-old Gail Twist and her 11-year-old son Ben. They live in St Helens, Merseyside.

Gail Twist

Ben is autistic and attends Lansbury Bridge School. His mum says he's a hardworking student.

Gail Twist

Twist told BuzzFeed News that when her son failed his end of year exams the school sent him a letter that moved her to tears.

In it, the headteacher Mrs Clarkson wrote: "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."

Some of Ben's strengths she highlighted was his growing independence, kindness, and the ability to make and keep friends. The headteacher ended her letter with the words, 'Well done Ben, we are very proud of you" and a smiley face.

Twitter: gailtwist / Via Twitter: @gailtwist

And like the school, Ben's mum said that regardless of the results she is proud of her son for sitting the exams. "When I looked at his actual scores he achieved what we thought he would. The fact he did it is amazing," she said.

Twist spent up to 18 months trying to get Ben into Lansbury Bridge, rated 'good' by Ofsted, and she said it was worth it: "The school has unlocked how he learns and it's [a] very personalised and very visual style of learning, which meant he could sit the test without worrying or panicking, which is amazing."

---

View Entire List ›