New school is bettering lives of pupils with complex needs

Scotland’s first college of care opens in Johnstone

The country’s first-ever school for children with complex support needs has opened in Renfrewshire.

Corseford College – which is located in Johnstone on Howwood Road – welcomed its first students back in September.

However, the official opening had to wait until Wednesday.

The school provides individual support for 15 teenagers to continue their education.

Staff and students at Corseford College welcomed Jamie Hepburn MSP to open the facility – with the unveiling of a dedicated plaque to mark the occasion.

The college teaches students subjects including literacy, numeracy, life skills and tech skills.

It also has sensory rooms and a hydrotherapy pool.

The minister for higher education and further education, youth employment and training was shown around the school and witnessed some of its pupils at work.

Mr Hepburn praised the pioneering project and pledged his support for future developments.

He said: “It has been an absolute privilege to officially open the doors to Corseford College and learn more of the students’ experiences so far.

“I look forward to learning the lessons from this innovative pilot and exploring how we can better support young people of all abilities to be given access to opportunities in further education.”

One of those to have benefited enormously from the facility is 18-yearold Owen Robertson from Bridge of Weir.

Owen is a careexperienced, complex needs student who exhibits challenging behaviours that prevent him from being able to attend a vocational programme in a mainstream further education college.

Since attending the college, Owen’s guardians say they have seen a remarkable difference in his behaviour, saying he now wakes up eager and keen to attend the college, when previously mornings were an extremely difficult and stressful time.

Owen said: “I like going to college, I want to be independent, get a job and have money.”

Head of Corseford College Liz McConnachie said:

“The grand opening marks an important milestone in ensuring further education opportunities for students of all abilities in Scotland, access to education should be based on the ability to learn. Every young person in Scotland should have an equal chance regardless of their background or circumstances. Jamie Hepburn’s endorsement of Corseford College is a significant moment for not only this campus, but the prospect for future sites all around the country.”

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has pledged £316,000 as part of the young persons’ guarantee.

It comes in partnership with West College Scotland towards the project throughout its first year of delivery, which has been developed and operated by education, care and support charity, Capability Scotland.

Based in a refurbished wing of the charity’s existing Corseford Campus, Capability Scotland has also invested a further £250,000 in creating the state-of-theart facility.

It is hoped Corseford College will be the first in a series of campuses around Scotland that will fill the nation-wide void in further education opportunities for those whose needs cannot be met in mainstream further education colleges.

Ms McConnachie added: “Now is the time to act and invest in our young people. This is a long-standing issue that’s been well evidenced and documented in research, policy and consultations.

“Those with complex needs want to have a voice, a social life and to be involved as active valued citizens however unfortunately many don’t get the support they need to achieve this.

“Investment in these young people will be positively received, it will in turn help build a stronger future for Scotland.”

The college is planning on extending its roll to 25 students next year.

For the full Corseford College prospectus, visit https://www.capability. scot/about/publicationsnewsletters/462-corsefordcollege-prospectus