Autism Unlimited welcomes the community to celebrate the opening of the new floor at the sixth form, including E-sports Studio, music recording studio and more!
Portfield Sixth Form, run by charity Autism Unlimited, proudly opened the doors to a brand-new floor, including its brand-new state-of-the-art E-sports Studio and industry-standard Music Recording Studio on Tuesday, 24th September, inviting students, families, and members of the local community to experience the cutting-edge facility first-hand.
The celebratory open evening included special guests from community leaders, current and prospective students, colleagues and friends of the charity who explored the new mezzanine, designed to inspire the next generation of digital creators, competitive gamers, and technology professionals.
Co-designed with students, the E-sports Studio will support new Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC qualifications in gaming, a growing field offering an exciting range of career pathways in technology, media, and STEM. With the gaming sector employing autistic individuals at four times the rate of many other industries, the new facility represents a significant step forward in aligning students’ strengths with career development opportunities.
The custom-designed music studio features not only an extensive collection of instruments but also a noise isolation booth for recording sessions and access to industry-grade software to learn music production and design. Built not only with students in mind, but also their professional and therapeutic progression.
Guests were able to test out the professional-grade equipment, from high-performance gaming rigs to a live performance from our very own students in the music studio, to see how the space will be used for both competitive e-sports and creative sound design. The new floor also houses a therapy room, art room and rehearsal space, which will be opening very soon, all made possible by various supporters and donors who also joined the event.
“This evening was a celebration of innovation, inclusion, and opportunity,” said Anna Hewitt, Headteacher at Portfield School. “It was fantastic to see the community, our students, and local leaders all coming together to experience the future of learning in action.”
The new mezzanine is part of the charity’s wider mission to reimagine education by meeting students where their interests and talents lie, while opening doors to thriving, future-focused industries.
