Whenever Elias Castleton sees the school bus approaching to take him to Kisharon Day School, he is “the most excitable boy in the world”, according to his mother, Emma Castleton.

Elias, 10, from Stanmore, has a rare disorder called Mowat-Wilson syndrome. He is severely disabled with little speech, and is unable to walk independently.

But according to Ms Castleton, the special needs school has had an extremely positive impact on her son, who has attended since nursery.

“The whole curriculum is targeted for his needs,” the media consultant said. “It is very different from what you get in mainstream or even in many special schools”.

Ms Castleton, whose family belong to Stanmore Synagogue, said she hoped that parents would benefit from the latest SEN reforms, adding that they would complement Kisharon’s “pupil-centric values”, such as nurturing Elias’ love for interactive learning classes revolving around music.

“Hopefully, the changes will bring opportunities and not budget cuts,” she said.

Ms Castleton revealed that last term, Elias had managed to make his first three independent steps, which massively improved his confidence.

It is therefore little surprise that his mother praised Kisharon as a “very nurturing and loving place — all at the same time.”