CHILDREN and young people with additional learning needs (ALN) who have faced a number of challenges in their education have been praised.

Pembrokeshire County Council has presented ten youngsters with special certificates and STAR awards for outstanding achievements in their learning.

The presentation took place at the recent ALN Achievement Event.

Ten children and young people were invited, along with their parents/carers, schools representatives and members of the specialist service teams.

The recipients of the awards were:

Tia Best (Prendergast): Tia’s teachers describe her as “a ray of sunshine” who is always concerned about how her peers and friends are feeling and is always ready to help and support them.

Georgia Neilson (Portfield): Georgia has undergone multiple operations but is always positive and caring towards her peers. She works hard at her education despite all the challenges she faces. School staff say she is an “inspirational young person.”

Ashlee Rees (Pembrokeshire Learning Centre): Ashlee has worked hard to develop positive relationships with school staff and has been entered for GCSEs. His enthusiasm for learning is greatly admired by the staff who work with him.

Theo Salter-John (Year 8 Pembroke): Theo has a hearing loss but has successfully settled into secondary school. He has supported and educated staff working with him on the use of his personal amplification system.

Miles Cooke (Elective Home Education): electively home educated, Miles passed GCSEs in English Language and Physics when in Year 9 He takes part in village life and has organised an art competition for the community.

Olivia Phillips (Year 7 Sir Thomas Picton): Olivia has cerebral palsy. She is very determined and plays wheelchair rugby for the Ospreys and for the Welsh team. She played a key role in planning for her transition to secondary school.

Sian Gwynne, Josh Flynn and Jamie Bailey (Pembroke School Autistic Spectrum Condition Centre): Sian, Josh and Jamie have made significant progress in being able to access mainstream lessons and are managing to do so independently for a large proportion of time.

Freddie Nye (Year 6 Pembroke Dock): Freddie has cerebral palsy. He is helping to plan for his move to secondary school in September, 2018, and is determined to be as independent as possible.

The Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Paul Harries, said: “I am so impressed with these young people and the hurdles they have had to overcome. It was an honour to spend time in their company.”

Councillor David Lloyd, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, added: “It was lovely to meet such inspirational children and young people who have faced considerable challenges but have overcome them with determination and perseverance. We were very pleased to celebrate and recognise their achievements.”