Construction work to deliver a state of the art learning facility for young people with additional support needs is progressing on the grounds of Bannockburn High School.
Bluebell House will provide bespoke accommodation for up to 24 pupils which will be kitted out with classrooms, nurture nooks, a sensory room and a GP room in addition to staff and administrative facilities.
The main works on the facility began in October with the project costing an estimated £5.1 million funded by the Education core capital programme.
It is anticipated at this time to be completed and in use by Summer 2025. Following this, a second phase to the project will add an extension to the facility, doubling its capacity to 48 pupils. Work on the second phase will begin later in the year.
The Design and Build contract for Bluebell House is being delivered by Hub East Central Scotland Ltd. and Ogilvie Construction are the main contractors for the project.
Children and Young People Convener, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “I’m excited to see the progress on the construction of Bluebell House which will be a hugely beneficial facility for young learners with additional support needs. Bluebell House represents a significant investment in the education of our young people.
“We’ll continue to engage with young people, parents, the wider community and other stakeholders as the project continues to support our delivery of a modern learning hub that caters to learners with additional support needs for the long term future.”
Martin Poole, Pre-Construction Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Work on the new facility has progressed well since our team started site operations a few months ago. We look forward to handing over a high quality building this summer that has been specifically designed to meet the need of staff and young learners with additional needs.”
Emma Silvey, Project Director, Hub East Central Scotland, said: “We have worked closely with Stirling Council and the team to deliver the vision for special needs provision at Bannockburn High School. When completed, the new building will provide first class facilities that will serve the community for generations to come.”
A summer 2023 target was originally set by the council for completion of the Bannockburn provision.
The facilities are being built due to insufficient capacity in the current education estate to support the growing number of secondary aged pupils with ASN who require access to specialist provision.
A review had found additional capacity would be needed in the city centre for 48 pupils over the short to medium term.
In 2021 Stirling Council officers said more investment was needed locally to avoid having to find specialist placements outwith the Stirling area “at significant cost in each case” and to allow the educational needs of the young people to be met as close to their own communities as possible.
Nationally and locally there has been a long-term increasing trend in the number of children and young people assessed as having ASN and diagnosed disabilities.
In Stirling 2817 children were assessed as having ASN in 2013 – increasing to 3528 in 2019.
The term “additional support needs” refers to children and young people who require support that is additional to, or different from, that received by others of the same age to ensure they benefit from education.
This can be due to disability or health, learning environment, family circumstances, or social and emotional factors. The reasons for the increase were believed to partly relate to better assessment and recording along with medical advances.