A Headteacher who has dedicated her professional career to supporting young people with an autism spectrum condition has been named as a finalist for a prestigious award.

Melanie Whitfield is Headteacher at Brookways School in North Cheam which is part of the Kedleston Group of schools and homes, and she has been chosen as a finalist in the UK Autism Hero Awards’ Top Education category. She was shortlisted from hundreds of entries into the awards and is one of just three finalists in her category.

This is the second time in two years Mel has been shortlisted in these awards. Last year she was part of the team another Kedleston Group school, Leaways, whose Autism Resource Centre team (ARC) was a finalist in the Outstanding Achievement in Education category at last year’s awards.

Brookways School offers a specialist educational environment to support young people with an autism spectrum condition.

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.

The awards seek to acknowledge the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals, teams and organisations who have proved excellence, dedication and commitments to impacting lives that have been making a real difference.

Melanie faces a nervous wait to find out if she will be named as the winner in her category – the awards ceremony will be take place in London on Saturday 13th October 2018.

She said: “It is an absolute honour to have been shortlisted for one of these wonderful awards. Brookways is very much about being part of a team and everyone has an impact on the achievements of the students. The young people themselves, their families and the staff team all pull together to work towards their success.”