Autism school for city

THE Gold Coast will be home to one of Australia’s first schools catering exclusively for children with autism.

Carrara’s Emmanuel College wants to build a school next to its existing campus.

Josiah College will house up to 60 autism students at its 15,000sq m campus on Birmingham Drive, with facilities expected to grow with demand.

According to documents lodged with the council, the school wants to be a “multidenominational Christian school specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum”.

“Our aim is to help students learn the academic character and functional skills to transition successfully into either schools designed for neuro-typical learners, further education or work,” the documents say.

Emmanuel College princi- pal Patrick Innes-Hill said construction would start in September if state and federal funding was approved.

“There are a significant number of children with autism for whom mainstream schooling is just not working.”

The buildings and curriculum have taken nine months to mastermind with school rooms to filter out harsh light, provide spaces of different textures to work and play on and areas that help children socialise better in small groups.

Josiah College will be able to cater for students from prep to Year 12. The first stage will include four classrooms, bathrooms, a roofed deck, turfed play areas, and a covered outdoor learning area. “Each class will have a maximum of eight students with two members of staff,” Mr Innes-Hill said.

Council is expected to vote on the project in coming months.