Community celebrates announcement of ‘brand new’ school facility

A TYRONE special school which has been struggling to find space for pupils has been informed that planning for a ‘bigger, brand new facility’ is to start immediately.

Sperrinview, which currently caters to 145 SEN (special educational needs) pupils between its Dungannon and Cookstown sites, were told the good news by Education Minister Paul Givan last week.

“As soon as it was announced, I sent a message to all our staff and parents,” said school principal, Paula Jordan.

“Everyone is so happy; faculty, pupils, their families, and the wider community as well. Everyone here knows the good work that we do here, so it has been a big boost for the entire area. It’s what the children deserve.”

The announcement came as part of a wider investment programme designed to improve SEN services across the North.

The new money will be used to fund the construction of up to eight entirely new special schools over the next 10 years, new builds for a number of existing special schools, an extension and refurbishment programme for special schools, accommodation for specialist classes in mainstream schools, as well as additional maintenance and equipment funding.

It also puts in place an annual £5million maintenance programme for special schools, as well as £4million to provide equipment grants to both special schools and schools with specialist provisions.

As well as Sperrinview, two other schools – Knockevin and Ardnashee – with also receive new school buildings.

Ms Jordan continued, “We have not been told where the new school will be situated, or how many pupils it will be built to accommodate yet. However, in line with the projected increase in demand for SEN spaces in the next ten years, I would guess that the new school will hold somewhere from around 250 to 300 pupils, which would be absolutely fabulous.”

Reacting to the announcement of the much-needed investment, Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott said, “I hope with this new capital development, Sperrinview can utilise it to ensure more children with disabilities can be supported throughout their educational journey.”

Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan also welcomed the announcement the education minister would use his £1 billion budget to prioritise building SEN facilities.

She said, “This is a positive announcement from the education minister to build and provide first-class special educational needs facilities. Our children with additional needs deserve to have access to the very best facilities that will help them achieve their full potential in life.