Back to school for former pupil from Woburn Sands

Joanne Barker, now 32 years old, is going back to school as part of Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week, from Monday March 19 until Sunday March 25. This year the focus for the Awareness Week is on “What I bring to my community”.

Joanne was the first pupil with Down’s Syndrome at Swallowfield School and her progress there was so successful that she began to read in her first term at the school.

She went on to study at Fulbrook Middle School and then Redborne Upper School in Ampthill where she gained two GCSEs. After a further three years’ study at Moulton College in Northamptonshire, Joanne achieved qualifications in Rural Skills and Cookery.

Joanne has had a permanent part-time job at Frosts Garden Centre for nearly twelve years and, in her spare time, she enjoys volunteering. She is also a member of Woburn Sands Methodist Church and sings with the community choir, Sands Singers.

Regarding her upcoming visit to Swallowfield Lower School Joanne said: ““I’ve always enjoyed reading, and I want to help other children enjoy it too.”