Study centre work begins (From Free Press Series)

Study centre work begins

WORK HAS STARTED at a Cwmbran school on a £450,000 project designed to boost education and support pupils on the autistic spectrum.

Fairwater High has been awarded an assembly grant to build a language and communication support base for pupils who have some form of autism.

The school also plans to upgrade one classroom in each subject area and give those pupils more opportunity to join mainstream lessons.

And the specialised centre will provide valuable support for children with additional needs.

Head teacher Stephen Cocks said: "It is designed to provide for the needs of children at the milder end of the autistic spectrum, who it is believed would benefit from a mainstream education."

The centre is designed with two individual learning spaces off a large area meant for quiet time or one-to-one tuition.

It will be staffed by two teachers and four learning support assistants, who will help pupils in their mainstream lessons.

Each pupil will get individual study areas that are designed to give students the personal comfort and space to promote a good atmosphere.

Executive member for education John Turner said: "The council has worked closely with the Autistic Society to make sure the centre's specifications are exactly what's needed."