Fairway helped Laura on journey to BBC

“I’m so excited,” said the bubbly 18-year-old from Cambridgeshire. “Obviously, there's always going to be a little bit of anxiety there, but that's normal. It's not like an overbearing amount of anxiety. I'm so excited, honestly.”

For any young person, securing an apprenticeship with the BBC would be considered an incredible achievement but it’s even more extraordinary when you discover the journey Laura’s been on to get to this point.

“Even at primary school, maybe even before that, my parents picked up on the fact that I was a bit different to other children. I was too young to realise it myself,” she said.

Those differences became more apparent when she moved from a small primary school into a large mainstream secondary school.

“I didn't know anyone,” she recalled. “Other students had already formed friendship groups at their primary schools. I wanted to fit in, so I’d find myself mirroring the people around me. If they liked something, I’d convince myself I liked it as well. I was forcing myself to be somebody I wasn’t.”

Like many autistic girls, Laura began masking her difficulties in an effort to fit in. Over time, the pressure became overwhelming.

“I very quickly began to struggle badly with anxiety,” she said. “I definitely wasn't myself. When you’re masking, it takes a heavy toll on you mentally.”

The Covid-19 lockdowns only added to those challenges. By Year 9, Laura’s anxiety had become so severe that attending school full-time was no longer possible.

“I remember my parents dropping me off in the car and me refusing to get out. There was something about being in a mainstream school environment with loads of people and having to force myself to be someone who I was not. It was taking such a toll on me.

“At school, I wasn't getting much support. There was a SEN hub but that was more for pupils with educational needs rather than mental health needs. Academically, I was okay, but it was more the mental health, the social anxiety that I needed support with. So they just stuck me in the corner with a colouring in book, and a cup of hot chocolate if I was lucky.”

Laura’s parents sought out an assessment which led to her being diagnosed as autistic with co-occurring anxiety and, after a protracted battle with the local authority, funding was finally agreed to send her to Aurora Fairway School.

“It had only just opened in late 2022, so we applied to attend one of their first open days. The impression I got was that this was a school that I might enjoy attending. It was really small, it was a new building where everything looked really modern. Also, because it was a new school, friendship groups hadn’t yet been established. We were all in the same boat.”

Joining Aurora Fairway proved to be a turning point.

“I changed over the two years that I spent at Fairway. They helped massively. The school helped me realise who I was. I don’t know what I would have done without Fairway. I am such a different person now.” 

One of the biggest differences was the confidence Laura began to develop.

“When I first joined the school, I struggled to find common ground with other students because I came in as a Year 10 and most learners were younger than me,” she explained. “But I built really good relationships with staff. They’d ask about your day, get to know you and genuinely cared. I can’t fault the staff at all. They were so lovely to talk to.”

As the school grew, Laura began forming friendships with other students her age, including friends she remains close to today.

And the support provided by staff went beyond the classroom.

“The staff were amazing at helping facilitate friendships,” she said. “Every Friday, we’d go out to a café together. It sounds simple, but it really helped us build relationships and confidence.”

During her two years at Fairway, Laura studied the key subjects – English, Maths and Science and she took ASDAN courses in Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education and creative arts, which involved making films.

It was these films that helped Laura secure the next step on her journey – going to college to study a level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Media.

“That was a massive jump,” said Laura. “There were around 50 students by the time I left Fairway and I went on to a college with what seemed like 5,000 students. 

“Of course, at first it was daunting and my anxiety was through the roof but Fairway had taught me resilience,” she said.  “I slowly got used to it, and things got easier.” 

While studying media, Laura began thinking about her future career and quickly realised that an apprenticeship route suited her learning style.

“As much as I don’t mind education now, I think it’s time to move on,” she explained. “I’ve come to the conclusion that I learn a lot better on the job. I’m much more hands-on.”

So, having successfully secured her music apprenticeship at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Laura is now eagerly anticipating getting started. 

“I'll be choosing the tracks for a weekly radio show, interviewing young local musicians, helping with events and other stuff. It sounds so cool.”

And is she nervous?

“I'm more excited than nervous,” she says.

Laura hopes the apprenticeship will open up further opportunities and be a foot in the door.  “I hope I’ll be able to stay on at the BBC or perhaps work as a freelancer within the creative industries. At the end of the day, it’s the BBC. Who doesn’t want that on their CV!

“I don’t quite know how I’ve done it, to be honest, but I’m here,” said Laura. “And I have Aurora Fairway to thank for helping me get here.”