MINEHEAD'S Regal Theatre was packed out during a double celebration for Foxes Academy.

Not only were 23 young people graduating, but the specialist catering and training hotel for young people with learning disabilities celebrated 20 years of transforming vulnerable lives.

More than 300 students, families and friends gathered along with 95 members of staff to recognise the important anniversary and celebrate the achievements of learners.

This year 23 young people are graduating – 20 of whom have already secured employment or training placements.

The popular guest speaker was Sally Phillips, the actress from Miranda and the Bridget Jones film series. She was accompanied by her son Olly, who has Down’s syndrome, and together they gave out the third year graduation certificates.

Sally delivered a moving speech inspiring the learners and their families.

“Here at Foxes you have learnt things that most of the people in the world have still to learn," she said.

"You know how to look after yourselves and others. You have learnt to respect everyone irrespective of their achievements. You know how to live with other people peacefully and have fun doing so. You know how to support each other in your weaknesses and encourage each other in your strengths. It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice and all the Foxes learners I have met are thoroughly nice people!”

After Sally, Harriet Windsor-Clive, a graduate from 2015 and star of C5’s ‘Special Needs Hotel’, shared the story of her life since leaving Foxes Academy.

"I got myself a job at our local pub The Duke of York and I work there four days a week, three lunchtimes and one evening," she said.

"I really love my job. I waitress, help the chef John in the kitchen and sometimes even do the washing up. I am very grateful to Foxes for teaching me the importance of a good work ethic and giving me the confidence to stand up for myself at work.”

Directors Sue Jenkins and Maureen Tyler-Moore MBE talked about how they had overcome many obstacles to set up the Academy in 1996, with the first learner Suzy Pankhurst joining shortly afterwards.

Fast forward to 2016 and the Suzy Pankhurst award for the Best Newcomer was won by first year Alice Moseley, a learner who has come so far, grown in her communication and achieved so much, all within one academic year.

The top three outstanding learner awards were given to Giles Walker in third place, Hollie Arrowsmith in second place and overall winner Tanya Korrison.

Principal Tracey Clare-Gray said that Foxes Academy was incredibly proud to demonstrate that young people with disabilities can achieve educationally, can work and can lead meaningful lives.

“We are really quite successful at what we do, last year 93 per cent of our 2015 graduates went into employment, the national average is a staggering 6.8 per cent," Mrs Clare-Gray said.

"At Foxes Academy we believe there is a social and economic imperative to show employers that taking on a young person with a learning difficulty reaps rewards for their staff and their business. We owe this to the next generation, so that they can see a person’s ability not their disability.”

In the evening a party took place at Minehead Rugby Club with entertainment from local band the Fun Puppets and disco Star Turns.