Neurodiversity Week Celebrated through Creativity

Leighton Park’s 2025 celebration of Neurodiversity was launched in National Neurodiversity Week (17th-23rd March) with a Collect from Neurodiversity Lead, Maria Rouco. Maria explained, “Different ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world aren’t wrong or broken. They are valuable, unique, and deserve to be understood.” One week later and the school is gathered once more to award the winners of Maria’s competition: a creative representation of neurodiversity.

Congratulations to Daisy (Year 7), Elena (Year 9), Hanting (Year 11) and Luke Kandiah (Art Teacher) who were the winners of their respective categories, Fryer, Junior, Senior and Staff. Daisy and Hanting took a pictorial approach with their creations of a colourful poster and an etching of fragile flower. Elena and Luke chose verbal representations, each crafting a powerful poem to describe a neurodiverse experience of daily life.

Maria emphasised the value of neurodiversity within the school community, making Leighton Park a better place. “Understanding neurodiversity increases our understanding of one another, it encourages inclusion, it highlights different strengths and it reduces stigma and bullying.” She concluded with a pertinent reflection from author, Harold Blume: “Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will be best at any given moment.”

As a finalist in the most recent Muddy Stilettos awards for ‘Most Inclusive School’, neurodiversity is well supported at Leighton Park. We have a dedicated neurodiversity team within the Pastoral Department, the star member of whom is our wellbeing dog, Sunny! Our Sensory Room with black out pod, calm lighting and comfortable seating as well as other dedicated spaces around the park such as The Den, provide go-to areas for students feeling overwhelmed. Early lunches are available to avoid the crowd in the restaurant and Maria runs lunchtime sessions offering a supportive environment for those who prefer to socialise in small groups or not at all. Talk to our Pastoral Team or our Admissions Department if you would like to find out more via [email protected].