One big happy family

Jake with Pride nominees Fiona and Maya

STAFF at a specialist autism unit at North Chadderton School have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award for their “life-changing” work.

Fiona Southall and Maya Meadon, who head a team at the borough’s only autism-spectrum resource — have been put forward for the honour by Greenfield’s Sarah Wyatt, whose 16-year-old son Jake suffers from Asperger’s and has been at the unit for 18 months.

Sarah said Jake had been out of school for some time prior to starting at the base; now he is expected to achieve five A-C GCSE grades and has a provisional place at Oldham College to study music.

“The staff at the base have turned his life around completely and have worked so hard to make him happy and successful, often in their own time.

“He talks about them as if they are an extended family to him. We can’t thank them enough for all they have done for him.”

Fiona said she and Maya — both teachers at the unit - were honoured to be nominated.

“We’re really pleased,” said Fiona. “Students face different challenges during their time with us. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.

“When Jake started here his grade predictions were Fs, but now they are Bs and Cs. He’s grown in confidence and understands much more about his condition.”