Brookways is a school which supports young people with an autism spectrum condition is celebrating its first birthday this month.
It has been an exciting year for Brookways School in North Cheam. After welcoming their first student in February 2018, the school has also been found to be good with outstanding features by its regulator Ofsted.
There was further reason to celebrate when Headteacher Melanie Whitfield was named as the winner of the prestigious UK Autism Hero Awards’ in its Top Education category. She was shortlisted from hundreds of entries into the awards and was one of just three finalists in her category.
The UK Autism Hero Awards were created by the Anna Kennedy Online Charity as an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the excellence taking place in the world of Autism. They are a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase accomplishments as well as enhancing Autism awareness and acceptance.
As part of its birthday celebrations, the team at Brookways is holding a special event which will see the awards’ founder Anna Kennedy OBE visit the school as a VIP guest.
Anna was awarded an OBE for her services and campaigning work for autistic children and adults. She will be given a tour of Brookways by the school’s newly elected school council members and will also have individual presentations from each of the classes. She will then help present certificates at the End of Term Assembly.
Brookways is part of the Kedleston Group of schools and offers a specialist educational environment to support young people with an autism spectrum condition.
Head Teacher Melanie Whitfield said: “It has been a privilege to work with the young people and their families here at Brookways over the past year and we’ve had a very exciting year already.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming Anna Kennedy to the school. The children can’t wait to show her their school and all of the fantastic successes they have been achieving, It is sure to be a very special day and a perfect way to celebrate our first birthday.
“We’re excited to see what the coming year brings for us!”