Parents slam school autism centre ‘move’
Growing pupil numbers at Grammar spark reassessment
Parents of autistic children who attend Hamilton Grammar believe their children are to be moved out of the main school building “contrary to principles of inclusion”.
They contacted the Advertiser this week to point out that the communication development unit established in the early 2000s – which caters for 35 pupils – is to relocate from within the main school building to the standalone former janitor’s house by the junction of Union Street and Auchincampbell Road.
But education chiefs this week insisted that the CDU will continue to be based in the main school and the majority of pupils will continue to spend their time there.
Hamilton Grammar headteacher Graeme Sives, in a letter to the parents of CDU children earlier this month, explained that ‘further capacity’ had to be found at the school to accommodate an increase in pupils.
“The Grammar, he explained, was ‘close to its operational capacity of over 1300 [pupils]’ and space had to be found to accommodate numbers expected to rise to more than 1500.
Parents whose children attend the unit met with officials to discuss the matter this week, but remained unhappy.
And Hamilton MSP Christina Mckelvie, in a letter to education chief Tony Mcdaid, dated June 13 described any move as ‘wholly unsuitable’.
She also stated that ‘a lack of consultation’ on the matter was ‘worrying.’
A parent whose son attends the unit told the Advertiser this week: “Moving these pupils goes against the principles of inclusion. The council’s own guidelines include ‘promoting inclusion and equality in their daily interactions with learners, promote self-esteem, well being and a sense of belonging’.
“In my view this doesn’t promote self esteem or a sense of belonging. My child is quite upset by the move and doesn’t understand why they have to move into a separate building.
“Children with autism don’t cope well with change which is something that hasn’t been considered properly. It’s all about the numbers and my child isn’t just a number.”
In her letter to Mr Mcdaid dated June 13 Ms Mckelvie states: ‘The CDU has been seen to be a safe haven for pupils with communication difficulties and allowed them somewhere that they can make friendships.
‘I believe that in the unit friendships across the year groups have given rise to an environment where everyone works as a team within one unit. It is also the case that with its discrete location within the centre of the school, this allows easy access to all subject areas and stops the pupils from being segregated from the school as a whole.
‘I have even been told that pupils from the rest of the school are even unaware of the unit which shows its success as an inclusive facility.’
Mr Sives insisted in his letter to parents dated June 6 that the CDU provision model will remain the same. He said: ‘There is no intention to change the ethos or practices which deliver for our youngsters day in and day out.
‘Inclusive practices and relationships are not the preserve of a school building but stem from our people and values. There is no change whatsoever to that commitment.
‘Pupils from the CDU are integral to our school community and, for most young people in the CDU, this means support in order to be included, wherever possible, in mainstream classes.’
South Lanarkshire Council head of education, Anne Donaldson, said yesterday (Wednesday): “As part of our ongoing efforts to best use the school’s facilities we are looking to create quiet areas for those pupils requiring them, including those from the CDU.
“This is important as it is increasingly difficult to ensure quiet zones are available in the main school building. However, the CDU will continue to be based in the main school and the majority of pupils will continue to spend their time there. This is in line with the council and the school’s commitment to colocating Additional Support Needs and mainstream education.
“Unfortunately the school was unable to explain this development and the reasons for it before rumours started to circulate.
“This was because plans could not be concluded until after school numbers were finalised after placing requests had been dealt with.
“The headteacher has now communicated with parents to explain this to them, and the council will also seek to reassure Ms Mckelvie on this issue.”