Current news

College Inclusion Charter launched at the Pears Ambitious about Autism Annual Lecture

Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister John Hayes MP launched the College Inclusion Charter for further education colleges to commit to delivering quality education opportunities for learners with autism and other disabilities.

Meet Temple Grandin and attend the UK premiere of her film

On Thursday 21 June 2012 at 6.00pm, Ambitious about Autism will be hosting the UK premiere of the film Temple Grandin.

Legal right to educational support for disabled young people extended to 25 in Queen’s Speech

Ambitious about Autism welcomes the commitment made in today’s Queen’s Speech to extend the legal right to educational support up to the age of 25 for young disabled people.

TreeHouse School pupils attend autism friendly screening of The Muppets

Last week 40 pupils from TreeHouse School attended an autism friendly screening of The Muppets at Phoenix cinema in East Finchley last week.

Free seminar: Post 16 Education Law - Managing the Transition, 9 May 2012

We're hosting a free seminar covering Special Educational Needs and the Law, with emphasis on the law relating to the end of compulsory education, planning for Post 16/19 Education and where to access support on 9 May 2012.

A huge thank you to all our Virgin London Marathon runners!

On Sunday 22 April nine runners raised over £30,000 for Ambitious about Autism by completing the Virgin London Marathon.

Ambitious about Autism tests out The Olympic Stadium

On Sunday 1st April the brand new Olympic Stadium in Stratford filled with different organisations, charities and members of the public involved in The Gold Challenge in the first ever test event ahead of the 2012 London Olympics this Summer.

Head of Communications interviewed on BBC Radio Kent's Good Morning programme - 5 April 2012

Mark Frodsham, Head of Communications at Ambitious about Autism, was interviewed on BBC Radio Kent's Mid Morning programme in relation to World Autism Awareness Day on 05/04/12.

Diary of our 2012 trip to the Avon Tyrrell outdoor activity centre

Our first group of pupils were fantastic as they travelled by bus, tube, train and cab. The journey ran without a hitch. The remainder of the group travelled by minibus or car and all had a safe drive up.

Progress update on our Finished at School campaign aims

With your support, we have been making progress towards delivering the four key aims of the Finished at School campaign. Both Sarah Teather MP as Children and Families Minister, and John Hayes MP as Further Education Minister, have publicly welcomed our campaign and offered to work with us to deliver more and better educational opportunities for young disabled people.

Ambitious about Autism redevelops online community Talk about Autism for World Autism Awareness Day

Ambitious about Autism has redeveloped its online community, Talk about Autism, to mark World Autism Awareness Month on Monday 2 April 2012.

Ambitious about Autism proudly celebrates World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day is a United Nations supported day which begins a month long of autism awareness raising activities across the globe celebrating the lifelong developmental disability affecting 1 in 100 people in the UK.

TreeHouse School student's prize-winning art work displayed in House of Commons

A TreeHouse School student's prize-winning art work was displayed in the House of Commons for the launch of the 2012 ‘Create! Art for Autism’ competition.

Highgate School raise nearly £5000 for Ambitious about Autism

Highgate School have raised nearly £5000 for Ambitious about Autism, through their Charity Week, which took place in February. Pupils and staff took part in lots of exciting activities throughout the week, including cake sales, a 5-a-side football tournament, a large-scale pub quiz and a Battle of the Bands.

Raise money for the school's Parents School Association (PSA) when you shop online

TreeHouse School is now signed up to TheGivingMachine, a great way to raise money without having to spend a penny more than you would normally.

Talk about Autism relaunching for World Autism Awareness Day

Talk about Autism, Ambitious about Autism's online forum and community, is being updated.

TreeHouse School celebrates World Book Day

On Thursday 1 March, TreeHouse School celebrated World Book Day. World Book Day is an annual celebration of reading and books that happens at schools across the country.

We're collecting Sainsbury's Active Kids and Tesco for Schools vouchers!

Help support TreeHouse School by collecting the Sainsbury's Active Kids and Tesco for Schools vouchers and donating them to TreeHouse School

Leading author and Parent Patron backs Finished at School campaign

My son Sam left school in July 2011. Sam has autism with learning difficulties. At 19, he has reached the age at which the government relinquishes responsibility for the education of people like him.

New Quality Standard for adults with autism

Ambitious about Autism welcomes today’s announcement from the Department of Health that there will be a new Quality Standard for adults with autism.

Our statement: Public Accounts Committee report on SEN for young people aged 16-25

Ambitious about Autism welcomes the report by the Public Account Committee which draws attention to the shocking lack of post school education and employment opportunities for young disabled people.

Nicky Clark interviews Sally Bercow for The Guardian about why she supports our charity

Ambitious about Autism Parent Patrons, Sally Bercow and Nicky Clark, took part in a discussion for The Guardian about Sally's eldest child Oliver, who's autistic, and why she supports our charity and TreeHouse School.

Disability campaigner, Nicky Clark, becomes a Parent Patron

Nicky Clark is a mum, campaigner and blogger. She began campaigning in 2008 with a site that promotes authentic portrayals of disability on the large and small screen.

Children’s Minister Sarah Teather MP visits Ambitious about Autism

Children’s Minister Sarah Teather MP visited Ambitious about Autism today to speak to parents whose children attend its flagship service TreeHouse School about special educational needs. The minister toured the charity and the school and took part in a roundtable discussion with parents about the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Green Paper, which outlines and the Government’s plans for reform.

Funding for SEN services protected

Ambitious about Autism welcomes the Government's announcement that local authorities will continue to recieve funding for special educational needs (SEN) support services this year, regardless of how many academies are in their local area.

Legal aid victory for young people aged 16–25 with SEN

On Wednesday 18th January, the Government agreed to make changes to the Legal Aid, Sentencing, and Punishment of Offenders Bill to ensure young people aged 16-25 will get access to legal aid when taking cases related to their special educational needs.

Lorraine Petersen OBE appointed as new Chair of Governors

Lorraine Petersen, Chief Executive of nasen, has been appointed Chair of TreeHouse School Governing Body. Read more about Lorraine’s background and her aspirations for TreeHouse School and its pupils.

Virginia Bovell speaks at Irish autism conference

Virginia Bovell gives a personal account of her campaign for autism services over the past sixteen years and her hopes and aspirations for the future.

Join the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism to discuss further education

A cross-party group of MPs will be holding a public meeting later this month, looking at how to improve access to further education for people with autism.

Two pupils win certificates for Great Merit in Hoffmann Foundation for Autism International Prize Competition

Two TreeHouse School pupils have won a certificate for Great Merit in the Hoffmann Foundation for Autism International Prize Competition and Exhibition 2011.

A massive Christmas thank you to our fantastic community!

We’ve had a fantastic festive season of fundraising in our local community around the Pears National Centre for Autism Education in Muswell Hill, North London.

Margherita Taylor says thank you to TreeHouse School pupils

Help a Capital Child Patron, Margherita Taylor, launched TreeHouse School’s new Capital Sixth Form Learning Stations in November 2011.

Dr Rowie Shaw bids farewell to TreeHouse School and Ambitious about Autism

TreeHouse School and Ambitious about Autism are bidding farewell to long-standing Trustee and Chair of Governors, Dr Rowie Shaw.

Fenella Gentleman is appointed as a Trustee of Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism is delighted to announce the appointment of Fenella Gentleman to the Board of Trustees.

Chance to win the best 'X'-mas present ever!

Our partner TalkTalk, sponsors of X Factor, have kindly donated 25 sets of tickets for The X Factor Live Final on Sunday 11th December to raise money for Ambitious about Autism.

Robert Buckland MP visits Ambitious about Autism

We were delighted to welcome Robert Buckland MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, to Ambitious about Autism today.

Festive fun for all of the family

Ambitious about Autism is joining forces with the renowned Crouch End Festival Chorus to give you an opportunity to sing carols, listen to choral Christmas music; all whilst supporting your favorite charity!

Capital FM Presenter Margherita Taylor opens new Capital Sixth Form Learning Stations at TreeHouse School

Help a Capital Child Patron, Margherita Taylor, officially launched TreeHouse School’s new Capital Sixth Form Learning Stations yesterday. The new facilities include a radio station (Ambition Radio), digital arts suite, retail outlet (Our Capital Shop) and art studio.

Four pupils to take part in the Hoffmann Foundation for Autism International Prize Competition

Each pupil will have a painting on show in the exhibition that runs from Monday 14th November – Sunday 27th November 2011 at the Wood Green Central Library.

Buy our cards this Festive Season

Make the cards you send this Festive Season stand out with our exclusively designed Ambitious about Autism Season’s Greetings design.

Founding parent fronts Finished at School

TreeHouse School was launched in 1997 by a small group of parents, including Virginia Bovell. They were all parents of children with autism and unable to find a school that could cater for child’s needs.

TreeHouse pupil wins art supplies for the school

A pupil from TreeHouse School has won a range of art supplies for the school for his winning painting in the 2D category in the Create! Art for Autism competition.

Our new campaign – Finished at School

Ambitious about Autism has launched a new campaign Finished at School which aims to secure more and better educational options for all young people with autism aged 16 – 25 to enable them to develop skills, gain employment, live more independently and ultimately live the life they choose.

Tell us your story about life after school

As part of the Finished at School campaign we are profiling the stories of young people with autism and their families as they try and find the right education beyond school.

Pledge your support for our new campaign

Ambitious about Autism has launched a new campaign to secure more and better education options for young people when they finish at school.

Sally Bercow presents her Celebrity Big Brother spoils

Sally Bercow presented Ambitious about Autism with a £100,000 cheque, a donation from her appearance on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother.

Ambitious about Autism supporters sweat it out at the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Supporters and staff of Ambitious about Autism ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 9 October.

New Trustees appointed at Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism has made some changes to its board of trustees.

Jean Gross, Government Communication Champion, talks about autism

Jean Gross, the Government’s Communication Champion joined Talk about Autism on Tuesday 13th September 2011 for a live online Q&A event called 'Communication in the classroom'.

Ambitious about Autism and Sainsbury’s Muswell Hill raise £100

Ambitious about Autism and TreeHouse School hosted a ‘taste and donate’ day at Sainsbury’s Muswell Hill last week and raised over £100.

Sally Bercow has left Celebrity Big Brother after raising £100k for Ambitious about Autism

Sally Bercow, Parent Patron of Ambitious about Autism, has left Celebrity Big Brother after raising £100,000 for Ambitious about Autism.

Sally Bercow has joined the Celebrity Big Brother house to raise £100k for Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism today announced that, as a result of Sally Bercow’s appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, the charity will receive a donation of £100k.

We support calls for an Autism Quality Standard

Ambitious about Autism has signed a letter to Health Minister, Andrew Lansley, in support of the Autism Quality Standards Bill.

Buckingham Palace garden party

TreeHouse School and Ambitious about Autism representatives attended the Queen’s garden party at Buckingham Palace last week.

TreeHouse School pupil’s work wins art competition

A pupil from TreeHouse School has won the 2D category of the Create! Art for Autism competition run by Beechwood College in Wales.

Sharon Hodgson MP, Shadow Children’s Minister, visits Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism was delighted to welcome Sharon Hodgson MP, Shadow Children’s Minister, to the Pears National Centre for Autism Education on Monday 18 July 2011.

A big thank you to Sainsbury's!

TreeHouse School would like to thank Sainsbury’s staff and customers in Muswell Hill for donating thousands of Active Kids vouchers.

TreeHouse School pupils' work is shortlisted in art competition

The art work of two pupils from TreeHouse School has been shortlisted in the Create! Art for Autism competition run by Beechwood College in Wales.

Arsenal Charity Team score at TreeHouse School’s summer fair

Arsenal Football Club’s Charity Team played at TreeHouse School’s summer fair on Saturday 9 July 2011.

TreeHouse School summer fair: A parent's perspective

The summer fair took place on Saturday 9th July and I think it would be fair to say that everyone who came had a great time.

Our trip to Bright Sparks KS1 Concert at Royal Festival Hall

Music Teacher Lydia Conway and ABA Tutor Monica Bond write about taking TreeHouse School pupils to see a concert at the Royal Festival Hall.

Autism campaigner Temple Grandin visits Ambitious about Autism and TreeHouse School

On Friday 24 June 2011, renowned American autism campaigner Dr. Temple Grandin visited Ambitious about Autism and TreeHouse School.

Watch Temple Grandin's Q & A at TreeHouse School

The video of Temple Grandin's Q & A at TreeHouse School with staff and parents is now available on YouTube.

Sports Day at TreeHouse School

Pupils at TreeHouse School took part in a sports and achievement day on Thursday 23 June 2011.

Read the Temple Grandin online Q & A transcript

Temple Grandin, the celebrated scientist, author and autism campaigner, visited Ambitious about Autism on Friday 24 June 2011 and took part in a live online Q&A on the Talk about Autism website.

TreeHouse School's garden comes second place in Capital Growth gardening competition

TreeHouse School’s garden has come second place in the ‘Best secondary school edible garden’ category of the Capital Growth gardening competition.

Ambitious about Autism respond to the Government’s SEN and Disability Green Paper

Ambitious about Autism's response to the SEN Green Paper

TreeHouse School’s garden shortlisted in gardening competition

TreeHouse School’s garden has been shortlisted for the ‘Best secondary school edible garden’ in the Capital Growth gardening competition.

'The Boss' gets ambitious about autism

The opportunity to buy a signed copy of Nick Hornby's essay on the Bruce Springsteen classic Thunder Road, printed alongside the lyrics in a beautiful book.

Realise your ambition of being a premier player at TreeHouse School Summer Fair

TreeHouse School are delighted to be welcoming the Arsenal Charity Football Team to the Summer fair on Saturday 9th July.

Capital awards £98,000 to local children's project as part of record giving year

Capital awards £98,000 to local children's project as part of record giving year

Ambitious about Autism is looking for a new Trustee

Ambitious about Autism is looking for a new Parent Trustee to join it's Trustee Board

London Mayor Boris Johnson scores for TreeHouse School

Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Paralympian Ade Adepitan visited Ambitious about Autism, home of TreeHouse School, on Monday 23 May 2011.

26.2 miles is a long way to run for a bus...

Ambitious about Autism's marathon runners triumph!

Ambitious about Autism and Dimensions

Joint statement from Ambitious about Autism and Dimensions

Arts Afternoon

TreeHouse School hosted an arts afternoon for parents and carers to celebrate the creative and musical achievements of pupils of all ages.

Keith Duffy visits Ambitious about Autism and TreeHouse School

Ambitious about Autism parent patron and Boyzone singer Keith Duffy paid an exclusive visit to the charity and TreeHouse School yesterday.

Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day

April 2nd, 2011, marks the fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). Ambitious about Autism will be taking part in World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in a number of ways.

TreeHouse School goes Olympic with new sports facility

On Friday 1 April, we launched a brand new sporting facility at TreeHouse School - The Outdoor Games Area. The new facility features an all-weather surface and will enable pupils at the school to enjoy a wide range of sporting activities in a safe and secure environment.

Diary of the school's trip to Avon Tyrrell

Erin King, ABA Consultant at TreeHouse School, wrote a diary about the school's trip to Avon Tyrell, the outdoor activity centre.

Read our e-seminar: How to convince and persuade people about the real value of your work

The last and exciting 'participation' themed e-seminar, took place online on Wednesday 16 March 2011 at 12pm. The timely and topical theme explored how parent forums and those working in the voluntary sector can show funders, key partners and stakeholders, and the media the real value and importance of their work.

Lisa Nandy MP visits Ambitious about Autism and TreeHouse School

Ambitious about Autism was glad to welcome Lisa Nandy MP who visited last week. Lisa is on the Education Select Committee and has a particular interest in special educational needs.

Read the latest e-seminar: The Influence of Culture when Participating and Taking Part

The third in our series of e-seminars will take place on Monday 28 February 2011 from 10.30am-12.30pm. It is an opportunity to explore some of the barriers and challenges facing parents and carers who do not have English as a first language and to share best practice ideas of how to reach out and be more inclusive.

Ambitious about Autism - a new strategy, brand and fundraising appeal

Ambitious about Autism, the national charity for children and young people with autism, will launch its new strategy, brand and fundraising appeal at the House of Lords on 10 February 2011.

TreeHouse welcomes draft guidance to improve autism diagnosis in children

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) released draft guidance which aims to raise standards in services for children and young people with autism.

Proactive Participation in the TreeHouse e-seminar!

The TreeHouse Parent Participation Project successfully ran its second e-seminar on Wednesday 26th January at 10:30 am GMT

ABA: Where are we now and where are we going?

On 20th January, TreeHouse hosted a conference for ABA professionals

Parent Participation Project Online E-seminar for Parents!

The Parent Participation Project is delighted to announce the second in a series of online e-Seminars to take place on January 26th at 10:30am GMT