New school is simply first class
Erskine Waterfront Campus officially opens
A new education hub that aims to help bring out the best in children officially opened this week.
Erskine Waterfront Campus, run by the CrossReach, which is part of the Church of Scotland’s social care council, aims to provide a high standard of education for up to 36 children with additional support needs.
The organisation said it is committed to achieving the best outcomes possible for children who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
The school, which provides places for day and residential pupils, is staffed by a team of 20 education specialists, and has 21 pupils aged seven to 15.
Class sizes are small in a bid to provide an environment which is nurturing and where youngsters can work.
A further aim is to foster an atmosphere of acceptance of pupils’ individual worth.
Kyle Fleming, head of education at the Erskine Waterfront Campus, said he and his team were “feeling really motivated and energised” by the new facility, which has been built on ground leased from Renfrewshire Council.
“This is a first-class school with a wonderful nurturing ethos where pupils are provided with a high level of support to bring out the best in them.
“They have access to the full curriculum in creative ways and we are committed to giving our pupils the best possible start in life.
“The school has been welcomed by the wider Erskine community, allowing our curriculum to benefit from local facilities and new partnerships.”
Mr Fleming said pupils use the local library, cycle paths, a soft play centre and older children take buses to school, which helps develop their life skills and resilience.
He added that having the school near Erskine means that children can feel included and part of the community in a new way.
“Curriculum leaders are building exciting new learning experiences into their teaching,” he said.
“While change can be difficult, we have made this transition together and are all the stronger for it.”
Pupil Jordan Mackellar, 15, says he really enjoys being at the school.
“I liked nursery and primary school but when I went to secondary school I found it difficult to focus on the work because there were too many people in the classes,” he explained.
“There were too many distractions and as the years went on I started going less and less and eventually I stopped attending at all.
“But since coming to Erskine Waterfront Campus it has been a lot better and I have been enjoying it a lot more.
“It is a place where you can come and be yourself and you don’t have to worry about being judged and what others think.
“You can just come and learn and be happy.
“There are less people in a classroom and it is a lot easier to concentrate and you get more oneon-one time with teachers to help you with things you are struggling with.”