Parents' joy as specialist school for autism opens

Rob Walton is the headteacher at Aurora Vincent House School in Horsham

Parents have spoken of their relief and joy after their children secured places at a new school specifically aimed at supporting young people with autism in West Sussex.

Aurora Vincent House School, in Horsham, opens on Friday and will welcome students aged between 11 and 16.

Headteacher Rob Walton said: "Interest has been incredibly high, so much so that more than half the young people starting with us this week come from within a three-mile radius of the school."

Lynsey, from Horsham, whose daughter is autistic, dyslexic and has ADHD, said: "When I got the call to say April had been given a place, I cried tears of joy and relief."

She added: "After such a long journey, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted.

"For so long, we've watched April working so hard to keep up while quietly struggling with anxiety, sensory challenges and the effort of masking.

"Knowing she will now be in a specialist setting, with staff who understand autism, ADHD and dyslexia, gives us real reassurance."

Prior to opening, the school worked with parents to create a supportive space to reduce anxiety and encourage learning.

Mr Walton said: "Our school is very much about being neuro-affirmative, which means celebrating our students' differences and creating the right environment so they can flourish both mentally and academically.

"By doing this, we're also able to identify and support students who may have been masking or camouflaging for significant period of their lives."

Alongside the teaching staff will be a team of therapists offering occupational, speech and language, and psychological support.

Parent Hayley Kenway, from Horsham, said: "Knowing that she [my daughter] will be supported to recognise and value her unique strengths that she brings to the world as an autistic individual with ADHD is everything we want for her."