Help Keep Kaylen Where He Belongs In the School That Changed His Life

Hi, I’m Katrina and I’m reaching out with a mother’s hope and a very personal plea for help.

My son Kaylen is 11, soon to be 12 years old. He’s autistic, and he has ADHD, and he’s the kindest, most beautifully unique soul you could meet. For years, he struggled in mainstream education. He was misunderstood, unsupported, and so often left feeling like he just didn’t belong.

But then something incredible happened. Kaylen discovered performing and with it, a way to regulate his emotions, express himself, and feel safe. Through acting, singing, and dancing, he found his voice. He found his confidence. He found peace.

And now… he’s found the school that truly sees him.

Kaylen’s Journey

From age 5, Kaylen has poured his heart into performing. While other kids were playing football, he was in rehearsals, training sessions, auditions and loving every second of it. This isn’t a phase. It’s who he is.

He’s already achieved things many adults only dream of:

• Starred as Eric in Matilda The Musical (West End)

• Toured the UK and Ireland in The Bodyguard

• Is currently Young Simba in The Lion King (West End)

• Has appeared in six major TV series, working alongside some of the biggest names in film and TV

But beyond all of that, he’s still just a gentle, funny, neurodivergent boy who finally feels accepted because he found the right environment.

School for the Performing Arts

This is no ordinary school. is a full-time academic and performing arts school one of the best in the UK. And after a tough audition process, Kaylen was awarded a place, along with a generous scholarship that reflects his talent and dedication.

He’s now in Year 7, and for the first time in his life, he’s thriving in every single way, academically, emotionally, socially, and creatively.

This school understands him. It celebrates him. And it’s exactly where he belongs.

Why We Need Your Help

Schools like this come with a high cost. And while Kaylen has been offered a scholarship, and we’ve secured a small annual grant, there’s still a significant funding gap we need to cover every year, for 5 years.

Unfortunately, due to the new VAT rules on private education, the school no longer has the capacity to fund 100% of a student’s place. 18 months ago, when Kaylen began training, the VAT issue didn’t exist. At just 10 years old, he set his sights high and worked tirelessly for this dream. These changes are completely out of our control. Had we known, we may have steered him elsewhere.

We are a single-income, low-income household, and I’ve already made many sacrifices to get him this far but we can’t do it alone.the amount we are asking for will cover one year out of 4

That’s why I’m asking for help from anyone who believes in kids like Kaylen. Kids who may be a little different, but who shine just as brightly sometimes even more so when given the right support.

Your donation will go directly toward:

• School fees and boarding

• Uniforms, equipment, and essential supplies

• Travel and educational costs

Every pound brings us closer to keeping him where he is meant to be.

The Impact of Your Kindness

You won’t just be helping Kaylen continue at school.

You’ll be helping a child stay in an environment that has finally allowed him to feel accepted.

You’ll be backing a young boy who is working incredibly hard, with big dreams and so much potential.

And you’ll be supporting a mum who’s doing everything she can to give her child the future he deserves.

We know times are tough for many even if you can’t donate, sharing this page with your community, workplace, or network would mean the world to us.

We just want to give a big shout-out to Kaylen’s current performing arts school, they’re doing amazing work with him every single day and really helping him shine. And of course, a huge thanks to Stagebox, not just for the training but also for representing him as his management. And hey, we can’t forget where it all began Stagecoach in bedford where Kaylen started at five and then the great years he had at Arts1 after that. We’re just super grateful for every step of his journey!

Thank you, truly, for taking the time to read this and for seeing Kaylen the way I do.

With love and deepest gratitude,

(Kaylen’s Mum)