East Lothian Courier | News | ’Fabulous' new units for special kids

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 21st February, 2008 09:00

’Fabulous' new units for special kids

ROSS High School’s new £1.8 million support unit has been hailed as a “fantastic” base for kids with special needs across the county.

The new unit at the Well Wynd school, which opened its doors to pupils on Monday after a two-year construction project, can provide education and support for a maximum of 30 secondary school pupils, in six classes of five.

There are currently 16 children, from throughout the county, receiving education at the school under the supervision of four teachers and 10 support staff.

At a cabinet meeting in Haddington last Tuesday, councillors heard that the number of pupils educated at the unit would increase to 22 at the start of the 2008/2009 school year in August.

Councillor Peter MacKenzie, the local authority’s education convener, said: “I welcome this development. I have visited the school and it is a very smart facility”.

The unit, which is in an adjoining wing to the rear of the main high school building, includes three state-of-the-art classrooms fitted with interactive whiteboards.

Pupils also have access to an art room, sensory area, a life skills room and a social area – all designed to enhance their learning environment.

Tutorial rooms are also included in the base, for use by visiting therapists, health professionals and specialists.

Ross High School’s depute headteacher Fiona Cooper told the Courier: “It’s all very different for them (the pupils) and the facilities are fabulous.

“The staff working with the pupils with severe and complex needs are delighted with the new building.

“They are all really looking forward to using all the new equipment, resources, facilities and space that the building offers.

“The sensory room, equipped with wonderful light and sound devices, will provide exceptional opportunities for extending the learning experiences of all the young people.”

Managing the facility – which was built as part of the former administration’s wider £43 million PPP education project – will cost around £40,000 a year, as outlined to cabinet members last week in a report by Alex McCrorie, director of corporate finance and IT.

The base is the first of its kind for secondary school pupils in the county – its primary school counterpart is at Meadow Park School in Haddington.

Fa’side councillor Ruth Currie, council spokesperson for adult social services, said: “I think its fantastic that these children (with special needs) are being included within mainstream education.”

An East Lothian Council spokeswoman added that an official opening of the base would be scheduled for the summer.

Social Bookmarking What are these?