Ed Balls officially opens TreeHouse's Pears National Centre for Autism Education

TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education, was delighted to have Ed Balls, the Secretary Of State for the Department of Children, Schools and Families, officially open its new National Centre in north London today (05 October). Key guests included Arsène Wenger, Arsenal FC having raised £500,000 towards the building whilst TreeHouse was their Charity of the Season in 2007-08; and local MP Lynne Featherstone.

The building, which took eighteen months and £11.5 million to complete, was officially named The Pears National Centre for Autism Education, after receiving generous support from The Pears Foundation.

Ed Balls said: “TreeHouse does excellent work providing for children with autism and I am proud to open its new national centre today. I hope the centre will allow TreeHouse to develop its work in promoting better autism provision nationally, supporting parents and helping to unlock the potential of children with autism.

“I want to see the best services for children with autism in all areas of the country and improving provision for children with autism is an important priority. That’s why we have increased funding for the Autism Education Trust to work with local authorities and Primary Care Trusts to improve the commissioning of local services for children with autism. We are also improving the provision of short breaks provision which is very important for children with autism and their families.

Arsène Wenger said: “It has been a real pleasure coming to TreeHouse today. To see the massive difference that this new building makes to the pupils, parents and staff who are involved with the charity just makes me so proud that Arsenal Football Club have been involved with this great initiative. It was great to see the pupils enjoying the sports facilities too, as this was the area funded by Arsenal and our supporters, as well as two classrooms and a common room.

“I hope our supporters enjoy seeing the result of their fantastic support for TreeHouse and I wish all those involved with the charity all the best in their new home for years to come.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said: “TreeHouse is a bright beacon in autism education and, after years of hard graft, they now have a bright, state of the art building in which they can continue carrying out their amazing work.

“I’m proud to have TreeHouse in my constituency, not only for the dedicated work they do for the fortunate students who go here, but also for the special work they do with the community, especially through local schools, to help increase the understanding of autism here in Haringey. I look forward to seeing TreeHouse school go from strength to strength in this fantastic new home.”

Nick Baldwin, TreeHouse Chair of Trustees, said: “There are too many to name here individually but the Official Opening of TreeHouse’s National Centre was an opportunity to thank all those who supported this very ambitious project so generously.
“It was also an opportunity to look towards the future and the work that lies ahead. One in 100 children in the UK has autism. In our experience, the key to unlocking the potential of these children is the right education. But the vast majority of these children aren’t getting the education and support that meets their needs. Through our national work, TreeHouse is working to close the gap between the lucky few who have access to appropriate education and the majority who still do not.”