College toasts advances for autistic students (From Barry And District News)

College toasts advances for autistic students

GLASSES were raised in celebration of a Barry college that has massively improved the lives of autistic youngsters in just one year.

Staff at Beechwood College on Hayes Road, Sully, boasted a highly successful first year and spoke of future plans at an open day last Thursday.

A ceremony, which included parents, relatives, staff and local dignitaries, took place outside the college, and the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Norman Lloyd-Edwards, unveiled the college's plaque.

Principal of the college Mark Hughes said: "This is an important milestone for us at Beechwood. We have made a very good start in providing care and education for young people who might otherwise have nowhere to go after finishing formal education at the age of 16 or 19.

"Our staff have proved to be energetic and committed. Based in a superb setting, the future for Beechwood is looking particularly bright. There are exciting times ahead."

Beechwood, which caters for students between the ages of 16 and 25, operates for 52 weeks a year. Eighteen students reside there and there is currently a waiting list for January and September 2006.

The environment at the college was designed to offer maximum flexibility to all students who have autistic spectrum disorder or asperger's syndrome.

A specialist team of staff at the college comprises of teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, clinical psychologists and art, music and drama specialists.

The college is ELWa (Education and Learning Wales) approved and is part of the Ludlow Healthcare Group of companies.

Sandra Holness' 19-year-old son, John, has been boarding at Beechwood since July.