Beechwood College Student Animation
'A Practical Approach'

This excellent piece of stop-motion animation helps to explain autism from an outsider’s perspective. It was created by Thomas Cotran, a 16 year old student from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield who came to Beechwood for his school work experience placement during the summer holidays 2009. With help from the Principal at Beechwood, Darren Jackson, and Art Lecturer, Robbie Gemmil and despite having no previous experience of animation, Thomas worked on this during college sessions at Beechwood and during the evenings.

Click here to view the World Autism Awareness Day student animation
Click here to view the 'A Practical Approach' student animation

Welcome to Beechwood College

Beechwood College is the realisation of a dream. It is Wales' first purpose-built residential college for young people aged 16 - 25 who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome. It is set in beautiful grounds in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan and offers all the facilities and connections to the local community that young people could wish for.

Core Values

• Students
  Beechwood recognises students as whole people with their own individuality, self-determination, rights and responsibilities and promotes their contribution to a more inclusive society.
• Staff
  As a staff team we are positive, caring, committed, professional and strive to ensure our students' success.
• Community
  We promote values of self development, tolerance, understanding, equality of opportunity and respect for others, in real life community settings.
• Teaching and Learning
  We seek to to make learning accessible, meaningful and transferable to all aspects of our students' lives.
• Families
  We work together with our families in a spirit of mutual respect, trust and shared visions and aspirations.

"Beechwood offers choices and opportunities to enable students to embrace their aspirations and shape their futures."

Please contact us directly if you would like more information, would like to discuss a referral, receive a copy of our statement of purpose, or are interested in joining the staff team

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