Prior’s Court teaches baking skills to Mary Hare students

An autism charity has welcomed deaf students into its state-of-the-art bakery.

The industry-standard baking facility at Hermitage-based autism charity Prior’s Court provides fresh bread and other products for its residential homes.

But over the past two academic years, the bakery has opened its doors to four deaf students from Mary Hare School – and soon plans to welcome a fifth.

Bakery learning facilitator Scott Thompson is running a programme to help Mary Hare students work towards their Level 1 and 2 Diplomas.

He said: “It’s a pleasure having students from Mary Hare in our bakery.

“We built this facility with education in mind, so being able to impart knowledge to students beyond our gates is a privilege.”

He continued: “Their work ethic is commendable. Despite the challenges of their deafness, they are making fantastic progress towards their cookery qualifications.”

Vicky Caws, an assessor for City & Guilds within Mary Hare, is closely involved in the placement programme.

She added: “Our students are learning confidence and skills that can be used in so many areas.

“This is a safe space for them.

“If you can feel good about yourself, you’ve been given an armour to deal with the outside world.”