Chloe Cummings Gymnast

I had been to two mainstream schools, none of which I settled into.

I went to Sacred Heart High School and Convent of Jesus And Mary, both girls schools. Both schools were traditional schools. The style of learning was okay but I struggle to focus which made me think I would never settle in like everyone else.

I joined InterHigh because I couldn’t settle in a mainstream school. I was struggling from social anxiety and bullying. I was mainly bullied for the way I did things such as hold my pen but it really got to me and my confidence. Everyone had their own little group of friends and I felt so left out and lonely. After attending InterHigh I managed to grow my confidence and got over my social anxiety. My anxiety affected me a lot and I wasn’t able to do things that I wanted to do such as going to the shops or staying at my friend's house. I really hated my anxiety and would always question myself and why I had to have anxiety and that led on to more things and feeling even more down about everything. I really liked being at InterHigh, I had the ability to sit at home with my dogs and go to extra gymnastics classes/events. InterHigh really helped boost my confidence and I’m slowly working my way back to mainstream school.

A typical day at Interhigh is very easy and simple. Depending on your timetable you usually start at 9:30 but some days I didn’t start until 1pm. I had breaks in between my lesson and a day with no lessons. It’s much easier than physical bricks and mortar schools with a flexible timetable that can really help with things.

InterHigh has given me the confidence and time to return to mainstream school. I slowly got over my anxiety and with the free time in my timetable, I was able to go to counselling and spend more time in places I felt calm. I could bring my lesson anywhere with WIFI and it really made me see that I'm not the only one.

You’re not face to face with people. It's so much easier to talk to people over a computer but the more comfortable you get you can start using the mic. It's an amazing school to build confidence and I'm not the only on who's managed to get over anxiety from this school. You won’t regret coming here. My first day I immediately felt welcome and felt like I was myself again.

The first day is always going to be nerve-racking but the longer you're there the more friends you’ll make and sooner or later you’ll be doing things you thought you wouldn’t be able to do again. Social anxiety is only in your head. You can’t let it win :)

Being able to talk to people even though I’m at home. I’ve made some amazing friends and friendships that I’m going to miss ever so much.