Black Lion Guest House What's On - Reflect Magazine

32Anna Kennedy WinsCertificate of RecognitionAnna Kennedy is a trulyinspirational woman, awoman who has foughtto give her children, andother children with AutisticSpectrum Conditions, theeducation they deserve,which is why we’ve selectedher for a Certificate ofRecognition for AutismAwareness 2010.Hillingdon Manor School wasopened by Anna in September1999. It’s recently announced plansto expand its facilities through theacquisition of Yiewsley Grange,situated in large grounds in Yiewsley,West Drayton, Middlesex. YiewsleyGrange will open in July after afull refurbishment and extension, offering places for 50 primary age pupils,with eight classes, a hall, therapy room, offices and a pleasant outdoor areaand garden for children to play. Once open, Yiewlsey Grange will become theprimary school site, whilst Hillingdon Manor will be for secondary school pupils.As well as Yiewlsey Grange, Anna isalso proud to announce that, alongwith Hillcrest Autism Services whonow run Hillingdon Manor School,she has acquired Baston HouseSchool in Hayes, on the outskirtsof Bromley in Kent. Formerly anindependent private girls school,the new special needs unit willprovide a centre of excellence ineducation and development forchildren who have been diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Condition.Anna’s had a great start to 2010,after winning a special Chairman’saward from the Institute of Directors(IoD) at the end of March. The IoDruns Director of the Year Awardsacross all regions of the UK, but itwas the South region in which Annawas nominated by Esther Rantzan.Anna said: “My award was veryspecial and was handed out at theend of the ceremony, which was heldat The Landmark Hotel in London. Itwas a total surprise, and even more of a surprise to realise I was the only womanto win an award all night. There were 300 nominations, which were whittled downto 23 finalists by a panel of judges, so to win is just amazing. Esther gave a speechexplaining why she nominated me and then I collected my award. It was amazingand in my acceptance speech I thanked everyone that had supported me overthe years and accepted it on behalf of all the parents, especially mums, who havechildren with autism. It’s amazing!”If that wasn’t enough,Anna has also received aCertificate of Recognitionfor Autism Awareness 2010from Reflect. Editor ElaineEllis explained why shechose Anna for this award:“Anna has worked tirelesslyfor over a decade now toraise awareness of autismand how it affects, not onlythe children and adults withthe condition, but also theirfriends and family. She’s wonso many awards in the past,she was the clear choice forour award.”For more information on Anna Kennedy,please visit www.annakennedyonline.comAnna recently updated us on how work on Baston House is coming along:“Baston House now has a Head Teacher, Steve Vincent, who initially started withus part-time, but from the end of May, he’ll be with us full time. He’s got over 20years’ experience teaching children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions. We’re in theprocess of getting our Department for Children, Schools and Families Registrationand looking at which buildings will be used for what. We plan to give every buildinga total refurbishment, as everywhere needs updating; we need to install interactivewhite boards and get new furniture, particularly desks, as we have close to ahundred old desks with built-in ink wells – so if anyone would like to buy them as ajob lot, I’m more than happy to sell them and make some money for the school. Onceall that is underway, I’ll start looking for staff. I’m currentlyworking on the prospectus, which should be ready in twoweeks – any parents interested should email me.”As well as establishing these schools, Anna has also setup a charity, a college, a residential home, play schemesand support groups all for children and adults; she’salso written a her autobiography, ‘Not Stupid: TheHeartbreaking, Inspiring True Story of one Mother’s Fightto Rescue the Lives of Her Children from Autism’, whichwas a top-ten best seller.