A Wandsworth council-maintained school which caters for children with severe autism is up against Europe’s most successful corporations in the final of the prestigious European Excellence Award.

Bradstow School, based in Kent, has reached the last stage of the competition run by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

Other finalists include major institutions from the healthcare, energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics and automotives industries.

The awards search out organisations from across Europe with an exemplary track record in turning strategy into action and continuously improving performance.

Assessors from the EFQM were especially impressed with the progress made by Bradstow’s students and the exceptional leadership of the management team The award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Brussels at the end of September.

Previous victors include BMW, Bosch, Grundfos, Yell, Nokia and Siemens.

Burt Furze, Bradstow headteacher, said: “We’re delighted to be competing among Europe’s finest institutions. Everything we do here is focused on improving the life opportunities for our students and their families. Our dedicated team of staff create a structured environment for each individual pupil to maximise their independence, self-confidence and capacity for enjoyment.”

Coun Kathy Tracey, the council's children's spokesman, said: “Reaching the finals is an outstanding achievement and we will be keeping our fingers crossed that Bradstow will be named among the winners in September.

“This is an exceptional school which improves the lives of young people from right across the autistic spectrum – they thoroughly deserve recognition for their excellent work.”

Bradstow is one of only a few schools in the country dedicated to children who experience autistic spectrum disorders.

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