First autism school of its kind in the country opens in Basingstoke

• Video report by ITV Meridian's Christine Alsford

A new purpose-built school for children with autism has officially opened.

The Austen Academy in Basingstoke cost £10 million pounds and is the only school of its kind in the county. 

The site caters specifically for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is a range of developmental disabilities that can cause social and behavioural difficulties.

As well as neutral colour scheme to ensure pupils aren't overstimulated, there are two school therapy dogs and a sensory room full of sounds, smells and textures to calm everyone's mood.

• Liz Cooper is the headteacher at The Austen Academy

This 10 million pound school in Basingstoke accepted its first pupils six months ago and when it is full will cater for 128 children.

Opened on the 19th April 2021, The Austen Academy is a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for learners from Year 1 to Year 11 whose needs cannot be met within a mainstream environment. 

There was a time when the belief was that all pupils should be educated in mainstream classrooms. But, at this school students strongly believe that an education adapted to them means they can thrive.