Schools are flying high at opening

9:05am Thursday 9th November 2006

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TWO special schools which are settling into their new home, celebrated by launching hundreds of balloons.

Pupils at Brimble Hill and Uplands marked their first day at their new site on the North Swindon learning campus yesterday.

The children were introduced to their state-of-the-art classrooms, complete with interactive whiteboards, hoists to help children out of wheelchairs and chill-out areas.

The schools are part of the 32-acre site in Redhouse Way.

Brimble Hill headteacher Bob Walker said: "This has been a labour of love. It has been five long years developing it, but everything seems to be perfect.

"Some of the children are severely disabled. In recent years we have had far more autistic pupils and the old building couldn't really cope."

Uplands headteacher Mary Bishop added: "This has been a huge change for the children, but the move has gone so well.

"It feels so different to the old school, like being in a palace."

Uplands and former Brimble Hill pupil Vanessa Bailey, 14, from Walcot, said: "It is so pretty. I think everything is really great. I can't even pick one favourite thing about it."

The primary school and secondary school will share a multi-agency unit, with specialist treatments, reducing the need for children to visit hospitals.

The site has a hydrotherapy centre, adventure playground, sensory rooms and an independent living unit at Uplands, to help older pupils prepare for leaving.

The campus will eventually consist of four schools including Red Oaks Primary, which is already open, and Isambard Community School, which will open next year.