Two former pupils of the Overmonnow Special Needs Unit (SNU) have exceeded all expectations to achieve a Level 2 Entry level Mathematics GCSE at the age of 18.

But the journey to get there was not an easy one

Pyrs Mainwairing-Smith and Amy Peters were both diagnosed with autism at an early age. "Prys was effectively written off by a consultant at Nevill Hall when he was three-years-old" his mum Ceris told the Beacon. "He was diagnosed with very severe autism and I was told he would be non-verbal and in nappies for the rest of his life and by his 13th birthday he would be institutionalised".

"I couldn’t handle it,’’ she said, "he was smearing poo and made no eye contact, but by the age of eight, he came out of nappies and started speaking and hasn’t shut up since! ’’ she added.

Ceris realised later, he did understand from an early age when he would recall things from the age of four and when she said to him "but you couldn’t speak", he would say "but I knew what was going on!"

The turnaround came about after Ceris followed the American autistic programme ’Son-rise’ where they would sit in an empty room together and when he began to constantly nod his head, she would too "and I remember after three weeks, he looked at me for the first time" she said.

Amy and Pyrs began at the SNU (now Class 9) in 2006 when they were both five and spent seven years there and in 2011, mums Ceris and Caroline had the difficult decision of where to send them next. Chepstow and Caldicot schools both had units where pupils with learning difficulties like Prys and Amy could go.

However they were not schools with a level of specialist disability and to find the right learning environment for their children, they chose Torfaen-based Crownbridge school where "they go really far into different areas of autism which wouldn’t happen if they went to a mainstream school" explained Ceris.

Amy’s mum Caroline, a former senior police officer added: "Given the size of Monmouthshire and the dynamics and the tax that you pay, for education we are one of the worst areas I would say in South Wales" said "It’s incredibly competitive to get a funded place into Torfaen.

"It’s wrong we don’t have that local provision and we do not only have to fight for the individual needs for your child’s education that’s inclusive but equally you then have to make horrendous journeys to afford that education and that can’t be right" added Caroline.

’’These two have done such amazing things that no other child with their conditions have ever done and it’s all down to the school pushing them" said Ceris.

Their teacher at Crownbridge school, Mrs Jess Coombs said they both showed the utmost determination to achieve a level 2 entry level GCSE this year. "Due to covid there were lots of changes in school but both pupils continued to be enthusiastic about learning. Due to their autism, Pyrs and Amy had to overcome difficulties whilst completing the entry level course that neurotypical pupils take for granted. They had to sit tests under exam conditions, which is something they have not previously experienced as they are usually able to ask for staff support and do not have time constraints to complete an activity"

Pyrs has now passed his driving theory test and is taking his test in January and he achieved a gold in his Duke of Edinburgh award.

The two are starting in the Redzone Learning Centre at Coleg Gwent in Cwmbran; four days a week in college and a day’s work experience.

Pyrs said: "We have to do a course in Independent Living Skills (ILS) but we’re too capable for that" he added with a grin. "The good thing about it is we do work experience which is a brilliant thing and one more useful thing, I am learning to use an iron!"

The course identifies pathways that would take them on to future jobs and they go out into the community and do different things.

Amy has a particular skill with baking and currently helps out at the Humble by Nature centre in the edible garden.

Pyrs wants to be a policeman like his dad, the late Jeff Smith, who was a mayor of Monmouth and police sergeant who diedy in 2002. Pyrs is looking for work experience in the hospitality sector contact Ceris on [email protected]

"I’ve got sensory issues " said Pyrs, "that’s the only autistic trait I have left"

Ceris remembers back to the first week of Pyrs’ life. "I had one girl in the girls’ school doing well, then all of a sudden your world comes to an end.

"You want your daughter to become a doctor, then you’re facing the fact that your son might never be able to even be a man. When that happened, I grieved for the son that I lost, for about a week, then I totally fell for him!

"He calls himself a 1950s teenager because of his wonderful manners and all the help he does around the house; empties the dishwasher, does the cooking, cleaning, bath. The only thing he can’t do is the ironing and I’ve told the college that.

Pyrs is looking for work experience in the hospitality sector and if anyone in Monmouth can see the potential Pyrs has through reading this article, get in touch with Ceris on [email protected]