A YOUNG girl saw off her school year in style when a farewell party was thrown by her classmates, whose hearts she has touched since she was four-years-old.

Little Melissa Adams suffers from the rare condition Angelman Syndrome, which has left her with a number of disabilities.

She can’t speak and has mobility issues. Mum Kathryn said she has poor mobility skills and is epileptic.

The 10-year-old’s education at Eccleston Mere School has been a wonderful experience, says Kathryn, who is full of praise for the way they have nurtured her daughter.

She explained: “The school started something called Brain Solutions with her. They used to have a lot of facial exercises and worked on her motor skills for her hands, legs and feet.

“The other kids at the school are absolutely fantastic. Speaking to one of the mothers whose daughter went to nursery with Melissa, she told me that her child had made vast improvements because of Melissa.

“The children said they wanted to have a party for her when she leaves. One little girl even started a collection. I would recommend that school to anyone.

“I have spoken to some mums with children with disabilities, who said they haven’t thought of considering sending them to a mainstream school.”

In September Melissa will take up her place at Lansbury Bridge.

Yvonne Kirk, head teacher at Eccleston Mere and who has occupied various teaching positions at the school for 28 years said: “Eccleston Mere has been judged as outstanding by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) for many years. Throughout this period an ever increasing number of children with disability and significant special needs have chosen our school. Staff have developed very high levels of expertise and there is a willingness to change routines and teaching methods to meet the needs of all individuals.

“Whilst we don’t claim to have all the answers, many of our disabled children have done remarkably well.

“What is sometimes not appreciated is exactly how much children with various conditions such as Angleman Syndrome and Down’s Syndrome give to the school and the children in it. Our great hope is that this will encourage all our children to have greater empathy, tolerance and understanding of ‘difference’ in all its forms.”