Eva has been part of Chailey Heritage Foundation since she was very young. Her charming wit and warm, friendly nature make her a joy to be around, and today, as a proud member of the Post-16 Hanbury Department, Eva is thriving in an environment that celebrates her independence and empowers her to take an active role in school life.At Chailey Heritage School, Eva benefits from a bespoke curriculum tailored to her individual needs and aspirations. Her dedicated team understands how to bring out the best in her, nurturing her strengths and supporting her development. This personalised approach is central to Chailey’s mission to enable every young person to achieve their full potential.Communication is at the heart of Eva’s journey. With the support of her team, Eva uses a range of tools to express herself and connect with the world around her. A key part of her communication toolkit is a device that uses Picture Exchange Communication (PEC) symbols. With it, Eva constructs sentences, asks questions, plays games, and writes stories that reflect her vibrant personality. The device speaks in a voice she chose herself; a powerful expression of her own individuality.In addition to her device, Eva uses Makaton and British Sign Language (BSL) to engage with her peers and support team. These tools give her the flexibility to communicate in ways that feel natural and empowering, helping her build meaningful relationships and participate fully in school life. “Eva has made incredible strides in her time at Chailey, far surpassing our ideas of what she might achieve. The first time she made her “mum” sound I sobbed. She was 12!Eva’s progress means that we can now better understand what drives Eva and what she needs to make her happy. What she has achieved would not have been possible without both her determination and the expertise, support and guidance she gets from Chailey." Eva’s mum Eva is passionate about developing her creativity, both in and outside the classroom. Whether she’s crafting a short story or sharing her thoughts with friends, she brings energy, imagination, and pride to everything she does. Her dedication to improving her communication has strengthened her confidence and deepened her connections with others.