Priory highlights Autism awareness with celebration of student's achievements
Young people at Priory Education Services Schools across the country are proving that autism and other learning and social disorders are no barrier to achievement.
Priory Education Services is the leading independent provider of specialist education and care for children and young people aged four upwards with Asperger's Syndrome, autistic spectrum disorders, behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and specific learning difficulties associated with dyslexia. The commitment to offering quality provision is demonstrated through the breadth of specialist education services which now includes 22 facilities nationwide.
To raise awareness of autism the United Nations General Assembly designated a World Autism Awareness Day (2nd April), one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days. Priory Education Services is supporting World Autism Awareness Day and highlighting the achievements of students across all its schools and colleges.
Helen Sharpe, managing director of Priory Education Services said: "Our ethos is based on encouraging all students to achieve by making positive life choices and hopefully gaining greater independence as they reach adulthood.
"The achievements of all our students are something we are very proud of. We have a good record of success in accredited examinations and some students continue to further education and university. However, success in other areas is also very important, including personal development and vocational achievement.
17 year old Matthew Graham, a student at Kilworthy House part of Chelfham Senior School based at Yelverton near Plymouth who has an autistic spectrum disorder, has always dreamed of designing and making his own clothes and with support from the school has produced a 'new age futuristic hoodie'. Matthew designed the fashion garment and then tailor made it in only four hours!
A student at Tadley Horizon School in Basingstoke has scooped a national sports award. Harry Law, 15, won the "Contribution to School Sports" title in the 2008 School Sports Matters Awards.
Harry, who is autistic, manages his anxieties through sports and exercise. He has grown into a talented all-round athlete and is captain of both Tadley Horizon's gymnastic and athletics squads.
Eden Grove School in Appleby, Cumbria which has a number of pupils diagnosed as having an autistic spectrum disorder, is unique because it has its own Cadet Detachment run in collaboration with the Cumbria Army Cadets. Many of the pupils choose to participate in this and enjoy the variety of associated activities. The school also has access to the Army Training Camp at Warcop and the cadets are able to undertake training exercises at the camp.
Also at Eden Grove, all students who entered for GCSE's received passes in every subject. One student achieved all C grades.
Helen Sharpe said: "Priory schools aim to give young people the opportunity to achieve their full potential to allow them to pursue their ambitions and achieve personal goals. Young people's experiences of school may not have always been positive but with small class sizes and high levels of adult support students grow in confidence and achieve positive outcomes."
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