About Red Balloon - Cambridge

Jessica Lechner, Coordinator Red Balloon - Cambridge

My name is Jessica Lechner and I was born in Mexico City. Since I was young I was always interested in helping people with all sorts of difficulties and I always enjoyed working with children.  I worked as a leader of a youth group for many years.  I did a first degree in Psychology and during my second semester I started working in a school with children who had learning difficulties and behavioural problems and there is where my passion for the work in schools began. I then started training in children and adolescent psychotherapy  and I completed an MA in Psychopedagogy.  I worked for over 5 years as a school counselor and then I came to the UK where I was lucky enough to find work as the Coordinator at the RB-Cambridge.  This is my fourth year as the Coordinator.

About Red Balloon - Cambridge

The atmosphere at the Red Balloon is different to that of most other schools, so we asked some of the staff and students at Red Balloon Cambridge how they feel about it.

• "I like it here because it's small and I like the teachers."
• "It's caring, supportive and friendly."
• "It's so cosy and feels like a real home to me, because it is in a normal house."
• "It has helped me a lot."
• "We have healthy food."
• "It's a place where everyone can be who they are and be respected for it."
• "It is a happy place!"
• "It rocks!"

The staff and students work together as a community. Everyone is called by their first name, there are no uniforms or detentions, and everyone has their lunch together in the Community Room. There are only fifteen students at any one time, and most of the teaching is done on a one-to-one or small group basis, with the exception of sports, drama and PSHE activities. The school has a purpose-made science lab, a technology studio, a landscaped garden and a therapy room. There are resources for a range of creative activities such as textiles, clay-work, painting, African drumming, electric guitar and piano. The school is based in the centre of Cambridge, close to Parker's Piece for running around at lunchtimes, and Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre for indoor sports activities including swimming, badminton, table-tennis, basketball, and fencing. We have close links with many local schools, and our students often go there for specific lessons as part of their re-integration into mainstream.

February 2012