Baston House School in Hayes recently enjoyed a double celebration to mark its first birthday.

Staff and pupils not only celebrated the school’s first birthday on June 21 but also the honour given to its founder Anna Kennedy who received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Anna, who has two autistic sons, co-founded the Baston House School and Hillingdon Manor to help other autistic children. She and her team have created one of the largest specialist facilities in Europe.

She has also worked tirelessly to develop and showcase the abilities of children with autism, staging the Autism’s Got Talent stage show at the Mermaid Theatre in London and producing a DVD Step in the Right Direction.

On receiving her award, she said: "I am honoured and my love for my sons has kept me going. I hope to use this award to springboard improvements and changes in the world of autism and I will accept the OBE on behalf of all families who are affected by autism."

As part of the celebrations, The Mayor of Bromley, Coun Michael Turner planted a silver birch tree. Samantha Cameron who officially opened the school sent her best wishes on its anniversary.