
Berkshire performing arts centre for autistic students opens
Speaking following the new centre's first performances, Ms Robinson explained that there were "a lot of overwhelming sensory experiences" at traditional arts venues.She said the venues required those with autism to "supress the need to express themselves", which they "need to do that in order to emotionally regulate"."It's a whole set of these social rules that need to be adjusted for our young people," she added.The school said the new centre would provide a space for students to "express themselves creatively in a dedicated, bespoke space".
It added that the space would also be used to research how to provide greater access to the arts, as well as to prepare students to visit more traditional venues.The new space officially opened on Thursday, with special performances from students.
Ms Robinson told the BBC: "This is a building where we want them to walk in and to be respected as artists, because their difference is what every artist strives to be."They are original, they are unique, they don't think outside the box - they completely reshape the box entirely."Alan Lawrence, whose son Jamie attends the school, said he was "very proud" seeing him perform. "Prior's Court has been our saviour," he said.
You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
I'm turning my 1960s house into a home – a £15 Amazon buy made a big difference, added privacy & only took five minutes
A DIY enthusiast is currently on a mission to turn her '1960s house a home.' As part of Grace Dem's latest DIY project, she has added style to her pad for just £15. 2 2 Posting on social media, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look at her recent transformation, leaving many open-mouthed. What was once a plain glass window, has since been given a glow up thanks to a purse-friendly buy from Amazon. And not only does it add style, but it also provides privacy too. But if you thought that was it, think again, as this simple trick only takes a matter of minutes. Sharing a short clip online, the savvy woman posted a before and after look at a small window at the top of her bathroom. Using a Stained Glass Window Privacy Film, which Grace bought from Amazon for £15 at the time, she was able to turn the once dull window from drab to fab. With this bargain buy, all you need to do is measure, cut, wet and apply. It's said to be 'hassle-free', with 'no residue.' According to the listing, this privacy film, which works best on glass windows, is 'made to endure with premium, resilient materials that resist wear.' As well as being super vibrant with eye-catching patterns, it's sure to beautify your windows and leave your guests open-mouthed. I was fed up of my council bathroom looking like a s--thole so transformed it with stick on tiles & an £80 shower screen Alongside the clip, Grace penned: 'Did someone say dream window for under £15?' Showing off the finished result, the influencer beamed: "Dreamiest transformation and literally took five minutes to do.' Clearly overjoyed with the budget but effective privacy film, which requires no glue and is removable, Grace then added: 'Obsessed obsessed obsessed!' Thanks to this budget product, which you can buy from Amazon in a variety of different styles, you'll not only add a unique touch to your space, but it can also be used to block the sun and for anti-glare purposes too. As well as being used on indoor surfaces, it can also be added to outside spaces too. DIY fans beam Not only do we think that Grace's window transformation looks impressive, but it's clear that many others do too, as her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ maisonbyem, has quickly racked up 182,500 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 11,800 likes, 46 comments and 1,889 saves. DIY fans were stunned by the huge difference the adhesive-free film made and users eagerly flocked to the comments to express this. One person said: 'Makes such a difference!' Another added: 'You've outdone yourself with this one.' A third commented: 'This is class! Looks so good.' Meanwhile, someone else asked: 'Is it sideways?' To this, Grace responded and wrote: 'Yes I suppose so! I think it could go either way tbh.' But not everyone was as complimentary, as one user snapped: ' Tacky.' However, clearly unbothered by the rude remark, the content creator wrote back and alongside a laughing face emoji, joked: 'Thanks babes.'


Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Woman, 22, who drunkenly carried seagull home 'bleached her whole house' after discovering it had bird flu
A woman was forced to 'bleach her whole house' after discovering that a seagull she drunkenly carried home from a night out had bird flu. Erin Punton, 22, from Northumberland, has no idea why, but she picked up the bird 'without even a thought' from outside a Wetherspoons pub. She carried the seagull home and was baffled to find it flying around her living room the next morning. But things took another turn when she dropped off the animal at the vets - and they told her it had bird flu. Ms Punton said: 'I saw the bird outside Wetherspoons and managed to pick him up without even a thought. 'I don't even know what made me pick him up. 'I put him in my sitting room with a blanket. 'When I woke up in the morning, I'd forgotten and he was just floating around the sitting room. 'I dropped him off at the vets the next day in a box and was told he had bird flu.' The 22-year-old was shocked to hear this news, and said she 'felt sick' afterwards. 'I felt sick and bleached my whole house,' she said. Ms Punton had filmed herself drunkenly dancing with the seagull the night before. She was singing Valerie by The Zutons with the animal tucked under her arm. In the clip, she said: 'He's a beauty.


BBC News
a minute ago
- BBC News
Bristol home of hymn writer Charles Wesley opens to the public
The Bristol home of Methodist Charles Wesley is due to reopen to the public later for the first time in a who died in 1788, was a prolific hymn writer whose 6,000 plus compositions included well-known works such as Hark! The Herald Angels his elder brother John, Wesley started the Methodist movement in the Church of 18th Century house at 4 Charles Street has only been open to pre-booked groups for the past year but will now reopen to the public, with tickets starting at £8 per person. Wesley was most influential for his hymn writing, composing more than 6,000 hymns, many of which are still widely sung in Christian most enduring works include And Can It Be, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today and O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing. Wesley lived in the Charles Street house with his wife Sarah Gwynne and their children from 1766 to family then moved to London but Wesley continued to use it during visits to Bristol until at least 1782. Visitors to the house will be able to explore six restored rooms, including the parlour, music room, study, kitchen and two bedrooms, and learn about the lives of the Wesleys and their impact on faith, music and tour of Wesley's restored Georgian home offers an opportunity to gain personal insight into the Wesley's family life, legacy and house was built in 1742, possibly by George Tully, who was responsible for rebuilding Jon Wesley's New Room in Bristol, which is the oldest Methodist chapel in the can book a combined ticket for £13 which includes entry to Charles Wesley's House and John Wesley's New Room.