Staff and students at Aureus School in Didcot are coming together to raise money and awareness for a charity close to their hearts, following the diagnosis of a much-loved former teacher with a rare, incurable condition.
Former Assistant Headteacher Carolyn Saul, 48, was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) – a degenerative neurological disorder that affects around 3,500 people in the UK. The disease presents a range of symptoms that overlap with conditions such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, often making diagnosis difficult.
“At first they thought I could have Huntington’s, Addison’s or multiple sclerosis,” said Carolyn. “But I was lucky in that I was under neurology Professor George Tofaris at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and he is a leader in his field. He knew pretty much straight away that it was MSA.”
Carolyn, who lives with her husband and two young daughters, has received vital support from the MSA Trust, a small charity dedicated to improving awareness and providing help for those affected by the condition.
Before joining Aureus in 2019, Carolyn spent 19 years teaching at Rosebery School in Epsom, another member of the GLF Schools Multi Academy Trust. “I had a wonderful 19 years at Rosebery and moved to Aureus when my husband’s job meant a move of house,” she said. “It’s been an amazing school and I loved my time at Aureus, which was very different to Rosebery as that was a girls’ school and Aureus is mixed.”
Her symptoms began in 2023, when her legs suddenly went weak while shopping with her daughters and mother. She later discovered this was one of many signs of MSA. “There is no treatment for it,” she explained. “They can treat the symptoms, but it is life-limiting with no cure.”
Although she has since stepped down from her role, Carolyn remains closely connected to the school community. To honour her, Aureus School has chosen the MSA Trust as its charity of the year, dedicating fundraising and awareness campaigns to support the cause.
Assistant Headteacher Hannah Powell said: “Carolyn has been an indispensable member of our team, serving as the Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development. Following her diagnosis she took on the role of Head of Year while continuing her work in personal development. She is truly remarkable and her deep affection for her students is inspiring. We were all heartbroken to learn of her diagnosis.”
Through their efforts, the Aureus community hopes to make a lasting difference for the MSA Trust – and to honour Carolyn’s courage and dedication to her students.
