A VISION to create a centre of educational excellence for children with autism in the North-East is now a reality. Lizzie Anderson takes a guided tour.
Located on the outskirts of Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, the North-East Centre for Autism is more than just a school.
The £9m facility, on the former Aycliffe Secure Centre site, offers care, education, short breaks, early years’ provision, leisure activities, residential accommodation and outreach services.
The school itself opened in January, with 26 of its 56 places snapped up by families keen to benefit from its specialist equipment and teaching methods.
It is exciting times for the North-East Autism Society (NEAS) – a Sunderland-based charity that launched a major fundraising campaign to build the centre last April.
When I arrive on a quiet weekday morning, the charity’s chief executive, John Phillipson, and headteacher, Janet Stirling, cannot extol the benefits of the facility enough.
Mr Phillipson says the new school building is the ideal environment for autistic young people to learn.
“People with autism often have acute sensory sensitivity,” he said. “This mean they are distracted by lights and sounds we may not even notice.
“This has been taken into consideration in the design, lighting and acoustics of the building. For example, none of the lights flicker or hum.”
Ms Stirling, who has taught autistic children for 27 years, believes it is this understanding and ability to accommodate sensory needs that sets the centre apart from main stream special schools.
A team of 36 specialist teachers provide educational programmes tailored to the individual, combining national curriculum subjects, vocational skills, emotional awareness and sensory studies.
“The pupils are all entirely different to each other,” said Ms Stirling. “However, they are all affected by autism and have certain things they need support with, such as communication and interacting with other people.
“This is an important part of what we do.”
Twelve-year-old Georgia from Hartlepool says she is much happier at the centre, having being bullied at her old school.
“I think it is great here,” she said. “The teachers let you learn and work in your own time and are really nice to you.”
As well as the new school, the centre incorporates existing buildings on the site, including a gym, swimming pool and science laboratory.
NEAS now needs to raise £230,000 to revamp the facilities and buy additional sensory equipment, such as a soft play area. For more information on the North East Centre for Autism or to make a donation contact 0191-410-9974 or visit ne-as.org.uk
More Education News
More Newton Aycliffe News
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here