The National Autistic Society's (NAS) Sybil Elgar School started its 50th birthday celebrations last weekend (25 July 2015), with a summer BBQ to mark the achievements of its current and graduating students.

The Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Harbhajan Kaur-Dheer, joined over 100 staff, students and their families for the event, which also involved a graduation ceremony, raffle and musical performances from both staff and students.

The NAS Sybil Elgar School opened in 1965, as the first autism-specific school in the UK. This was a time when public awareness of autism was very low and those on the spectrum were all too often written off as uneducable.

The school was started by the late Sybil Elgar, one of the founders of the NAS, which is now the UK’s leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families and runs eight schools across the UK. A huge event to mark this milestone is being organised for the next academic year.

The NAS Sybil Elgar School caters for up to 73 students on the autism spectrum between the ages of 4 and 19, with maximum class sizes of eight students.

It also offers weekly residential placements as part of its Children’s Home provision and flexible boarding during evenings, weekends, and school holidays. Ofsted has rated it 'Good' for education and 'Outstanding’ for care.

More than 1 in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. It is a lifelong condition which affects each individual differently, although everyone on the autism spectrum has difficulties communicating and interacting with others. This is why the NAS treats each student as an individual and provides education that is tailored to their unique needs.

The school was honoured that Jackie Craggs, Sybil Elgar’s daughter, was able to attend and hand out the awards:

• Chris Marris Cup for Most Progress Made - Ibrahim Khan
• Sybil Elgar Award for Highest Achiever - Kane Bishop
• Joshua Bellot Cup for Outstanding Personality - Marc Luteka
• Veronica Santhirasenan Shield for Poetry - Anthony Onyac and Rene St. Bernard
• Tony Kay Cup for Biggest Contribution - Paul Davidson-Natt and Albert Costigan
• Leban Farah Cup for Bravery - James Walker
• Sports Woman of the Year - Anne-Marie Kufuor

Chloe Phillips, Principal of the National Autistic Society's Sybil Elgar School, said:

"We're delighted that so many families and staff, past and present, could join us to celebrate the achievements of our current and graduating students and start our 50th anniversary celebrations."

"The NAS Sybil Elgar School was the first autism specific school in the UK so this is a huge milestone, not just for us, but for the whole autism community. The success of our students shows just how far we've come as a society since the school opened, a time when autistic children were written off and hidden away. While there's still a long way to go, it speaks volumes that almost all of our students are well placed to go onto employment or further learning in education and care settings."

"Autism can have a profound effect on an individual but, with the right understanding and support, our students will live fulfilling and happy lives."

For more information about the NAS Sybil Elgar School, please visit: www.sybilelgarschool.org.uk