We’re proud to share this powerful and personal article written by Claire Chandler, who is now studying for a Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship with Weston College and working at North Devon Council. Originally published by LawCare, Legally Autistic is Claire’s honest and moving account of her journey through education, diagnosis, and self-discovery as an autistic woman pursuing a career in law.

Claire’s story sheds light on the hidden challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals and highlights the strength it takes not just to succeed, but to persevere. Her openness and advocacy are a true inspiration.

We’re human. We’re made to move through the ups and down of life, the tragedies and the painful challenges. Being an autistic human makes the world that bit harder to navigate and sometimes we find ourselves stuck. Stuck in world where we feel we don’t belong, searching for ways to try and fit in. It’s like being left-handed in a world that’s made for right-handed people, think using cutlery, scissors, shaking hands, using a mouse on a computer. All of these things are possible for left-handers, but adjustments need to be made in order to make it work. I was 15 when I first realised that something was different. In weekly assemblies I’d sit on my own at the back, right next to the door as if I were to suddenly throw up, I’d have an easy escape route. Throwing up was the start of how my anxiety would manifest itself. It wasn’t just nerves, but an actual, physical response to danger – except there wasn’t any danger. During the six hours I was at school, I would easily be throwing up 10 times throughout the day, enough to put you off your lunch…literally. By some miracle I managed to fly through my exams. I was off to college.

It took so much energy out of me to get up and go to college. I had few friends but found it very difficult to make more and struggled a lot with socialising. The throwing up had eased but never completely stopped. I wound myself up about speaking aloud in classes, to the point I’d just not turn up. This compounded and resulted in failing my A Levels, including Law. After experiencing these symptoms for a while, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and given medication. This helped for a while. I passed year one of a BTEC in Business Studies with a distinction. I got the top grades and was looking forward to my second year. The second year approaches begins and I drop out, having convinced myself that I’ll just fail again, so what’s the point? It’s interesting, in hindsight, how I focused on the failure, rather than the more recent and very positive grades.

I was no longer at college and not employed. I didn’t understand the world or how I could ever move forwards. Just the thought of working made me feel sick again, despite really wanting, needing, to be ‘normal’. This was the point where I started a distance-learning degree in Business and Law, really just as something to do. In an attempt to improve myself, I finally felt confident enough to try counselling. I tried CBT and hypnotherapy, none of which helped. In the end I found a private counsellor and haven’t looked back. Fast forward 2 years and I finally have a job that I love, I’ve graduated with an honours degree and I was studying towards qualification as a Solicitor. However, the Solicitors Qualifying Exam was tough. I failed again. I wondered how I can ever be a solicitor if I couldn’t even pass the exams. Why should I retake when I would just convince myself that I’d fail again? I had always been academic so why can’t I do this?

After a short break, I started counselling again and it was suggested that I could be autistic. It had never crossed my mind. The inability to let go of the past, the difficulties in friendships and relationships, the discomfort in eye contact and conversation, the need for routine, the need for perfection, the terrifying fear of failure and not being good enough, the difficulties with transitions…needless to say, I was diagnosed in January 2025.

This opened up a new world for me. I’m learning more about myself and now realise I wasn’t failing because I wasn’t good enough, but because I couldn’t cope with a 5 hour exam and the sheer amount of information I was expected to easily recall. The structure of the exam wasn’t right for me, and that’s ok. There are different ways, and you can succeed.

Just because you see the world differently, it doesn’t mean that you’re less of a person, less capable, or just, less. Since being diagnosed, I feel very strongly about advocating not just for myself, but for others too.

I am now studying to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive in Local Government, and I’m looking forward to a successful career in the legal sector. Being autistic in a very neurotypical world is not easy, but that most definitely does not mean that it’s not possible.

Weston College is working with Ashcombe Children's Centre to create a Stay and Play for the community, where everything is completely FREE!

This exciting event will take place on Wednesday 18th June at Ashcombe Children's Centre with two sessions available: 

Morning session: 9am – 10:30am 

Afternoon session: 1pm – 2:30pm 

Our stay and play allows for parents and carers to stay and play alongside their children in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Enjoy a morning of hands-on activities, creative play, and community interaction, all designed to support early development and learning.

Our Early Years and Education students will be there too - leading activities, playing with children, and helping set up a fun-filled space for you and your little ones.

There will be a wide range of fun and stimulating activities designed to support children’s learning and development. These include: 

• Messy play with sand, water, and mud 
• A painting station where children can explore colours and their senses 
• A quiet sensory area for those who prefer a calmer space 
• A circle time mat where an adult will read stories and use counting blocks to help prepare children for school  

All activities have been designed to support your child’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and overall early development, while encouraging creativity, confidence, and social interaction. 

To keep everyone refreshed, free drinks and biscuits will be available during both sessions.

A select group of Weston College’s Early Years and Education students have planned this event themselves as part of their course, using their knowledge and creativity to design a fun and inclusive experience for local families. 

Spaces are limited, so if you’re interested in attending, please make sure to secure your slot in advance.  

To book a place, click here. 

Everyone is welcome – we can’t wait to see you there! 

If you have any questions prior to the event, don't hesitate to contact Lucy on lucy.drew@weston.ac.uk

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career. 

Weston College invites the local community to come together for the Summer Spectacular 2025, this Saturday (7th June from 10 am to 6 pm), a vibrant and family-friendly event packed with live performances, interactive experiences, and a celebration of student success. 

Taking place across the Italian Gardens and the newly reopened Winter Gardens, this free event on Saturday promises something for everyone—from dazzling musical showcases to alpacas, virtual reality, and more. 

Visitors will enjoy a day full of performances, including: 

• Live music and vocals on the Italian Gardens stage. 
• A performance by the Mental Health Choir and a dance piece by English Speaker Other Language (ESOL) learners in the Winter Gardens Ballroom (11:30 am). 
• A high-energy Performing Arts Showcase from 1:00 pm–3:00 pm, featuring highlights from Les Misérables, Sister Act, Rocky Horror, Fame, and Back to the Future. 

But the Summer Spectacular is much more than a show—it’s an open invitation for the community to get involved and try something new. 

Activities include: 

• Meet the alpacas from Weston College’s Animal Management Centre at Puxton Park. 
• Make a bee flower bomb and support local conservation. 
• Create your nature-inspired sun catcher with the Education and Early Years team. 
• Explore virtual reality and learn how to build your own PC. 
• Enjoy a pamper session with hair tinsels and hand massages from the Hair & Beauty learners. 
• Discover the future of automotive engineering, including hydrogen-powered vehicles and onboard diagnostics. 
• Join the ESOL team for a cultural experience—try traditional dance, and learn greetings from around the world. 

In addition, the University Centre Weston Open Day will be running alongside the event inside the Winter Gardens. It’s a perfect chance to explore degrees and degree apprenticeships available locally, ideal for college and sixth form leavers, adult learners, or anyone considering their next step. 

This year’s Spectacular also marks the grand reopening of the iconic Winter Gardens Ballroom, a beloved Weston landmark once again filled with life, learning, and celebration. 

The event will be opened on the Italian Gardens stage by the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, who will help kick off a day of festivities, thanking students, staff, and the wider community for their energy, creativity, and contributions. 

Weston College Summer Spectacular 2025 is open to all, free to attend, and a fantastic way to celebrate the town’s young talent, explore new opportunities, and enjoy a brilliant day out.