The headteacher of a new school for people with autism hopes to help her students find their voice in the community.

The Ambitious about Autism College opened its doors at Barnet and Southgate College, in Grahame Park, Colindale, in September.

It provides one-to-one support, a safe haven and regular activities for young people aged 19 to 25 who have severe autism.

After a successful first term, Vivienne Berkeley, the school’s first headteacher, says she has big plans for its future.

The 49-year-old said: “For me it’s about helping young people find their voice when that voice has been taken away from them.

“The thing I love most about this job is the amount of ambition we have for these young people. We try to support them to live an ordinary life in the community.

“It’s been challenging as some of our learners have complex autism and many can’t verbally communicate, but there’s still ways we can help them.”

There are currently 14 learners aged and lessons from 9am to 4.30pm.

The timetables are highly personalised – with time for activities including swimming and sports sessions.

Ms Berkeley, who lives on a narrowboat in Hemel Hempstead and has two children, earned her degree from DeMontfort University and has since worked with children with special needs.

She added: “We don’t see learning confined to the four walls of a classroom. The classroom is our community.

“Something as simple as going into a coffee shop and ordering lunch for themselves, using money alone and taking a train ride, is such an invaluable lesson.

“We thought some of the students would struggle but the transition has been a lot smoother than anticipated, and that’s down to all the hard work we’ve put in.”