The Austen Academy, part of the Catch22 Multi Academies Trust (MAT), officially celebrated its opening on 21st October, with attendance from local MP Maria Miller and Catch22 CEO Chris Wright.
The Basingstoke school is funded by the Department for Education and operated by Catch22, a multi-academies trust and charity, which also operates local The Ashwood Academy and The Coppice Spring Academy.
The school currently has capacity for 128 students from age 5–16, catering for children with an Autism diagnosis.
The Austen Academy Headteacher, Liz Cooper, said:
“It has been a challenging couple of years for everyone, our students included. We are thrilled to welcome them and our community to a school which is the first in the area specifically designed to improve the future opportunities of children with autism. Our students are doing exceptionally well.”