Families bid emotional farewell to Kersland
School has been like home from home for us, says mum
Youngsters enjoyed some fun in the sun as they waved farewell to their beloved school.
It was a bittersweet celebration for kids, parents and staff at Paisley’s Kersland school, as they hosted their last ever funday.
There was music, games, fish and chips and ice cream to be enjoyed at the outdoor event, that saw friends and families come together for the last time before the opening of the new campus.
The school for youngsters with additional needs is closing it’s doors later this month as it prepares to move to a new £ 19 million state- of- the- art building in Linwood.
Riverbrae School will open this summer, replacing Kersland and nearby Clippens and Hollybush Pre-5 centre.
The move will offer improved accessibility for those with physical or sensory difficulties, along with better access to sports facilities and IT equipment.
Parents paid emotional tributes to Kersland at the funday on Friday.
Carol Ingram has two kids Ruairidh, 15 and Cameron, 12, at the school and she is also chair of the parent council.
She says the Kersland Paisley campus has come to feel like home.
She said: “It’s is a fabulous place with a family atmosphere.
“The staff celebrate children all the time, every achievement is nurtured.
“My kids are happy to go to school and they come home happy.
“Kersland is like a home from home. All the parents and kids here are like one big family.
“We are anxious about the move and it’s an emotional time, but we are all looking forward to it and staying positive as it’s a fantastic opportunity.”
Debby Needleman’s two girls Georgia and Chloe, 10, both attend the school.
She agreed with Carol, saying the staff work with children to nurture their growth and celebrate achievements.
She explained: “Right from day one, staff know you and your kids on a personal level. They know your name and invest in the needs of your children.
“At Kersland, it’s not just hiding away a kid with special needs. Everything they do is a celebration of the children.”
Eileen McCready, whose son Fraser, nine, attends the school, says she will miss the old campus but is looking forward to the opportunities Riverbrae School will bring for her child.
She said: “There’s a lot of emotional parents here today. There’s a lot of memories at this school, so we will be sad to see it close, but this is just the next step in the adventure.”
Acting head teacher Michelle Welsh will be depute head at Riverbrae.
She said that in the 23 years she has worked on the Paisley campus, she has witnessed how the school has helped create positive change.
“The school has built strong links with local pupils and secondary schools and created a real culture of people working together.”
The youngsters tucked into some warm fish suppers, kindly supplied by Andrew Speirs from Andy’s Golden Fry in Johnstone.