AUTISTIC students took the spotlight in a pantomime production of Aladdin.

Students from LVS Hassocks celebrated the last day of term by putting on a fantastic show for their families and friends.

Around 20 children from the school for young people on the autism spectrum in Sayers Common, near Burgess Hill, performed a stage version of Aladdin, with other students helping with sound and music.

Teaching staff had been helping their students to learn lines and songs for the production for several weeks, and it paid off in style as the performance gained rapturous applause from a large audience.

Narrator Andrew Knowles said: “I really enjoyed being on stage in front of everyone, and changing my script to make it funnier because I like making people laugh”.

His mother Jane said: “I was really proud of Andrew today. He was at mainstream school previously and was shy, really lacking in confidence. Since arriving at LVS Hassocks he has been much happier and, because he fits in and people understand and encourage him, he has really come out of himself and become outgoing”.

The end of term celebration also saw students selling goods that they had made themselves at gift stalls.

These included Jade who has been enjoying evening workshops from LVS Hassocks’ massage therapist Mandy Simmerling to make hand creams and soaps, which sold out on the day.

Mandy said: “It is a great way to teach students new, practical skills which they will be able to use beyond the school and may help them gain employment. Today has also given them the chance to practice handling money when selling their items, and communicate with customers, so all really valuable life skills”.

Other students made Christmas cards to sell.

LVS Hassocks’ director of special educational needs Sarah Sherwood said: “It was a really uplifting end to term with our students showing such a range of talents, from acting and singing to technical knowledge and creativity in making cards, gifts and other items to sell.

"The most important thing of all, and one that we really value, is that they all successfully demonstrated the confidence that we have been helping them to nurture by either being on stage or communicating with visitors.

"Anxiety and lack of confidence can be a big issue for children with autism but our students showed today that with the right support that can be overcome."