20/10/2011 - £3 million school revamp is given top marks

A SPECIAL school offering personal education programmes for children with behavioural problems is being transformed thanks to a £3 million investment.

Aynsley School, in Blythe Bridge, is undergoing major improvements to make it fit for the needs of the youngsters it helps.

The current buildings are nearly 60 years old and do not provide for the range of subjects the pupils are taught.

Works include a two-storey extension to the main building, new sports hall, food technology rooms and a complete refurbishment of all the classrooms.

Specialist science, music, art and design and technology suites are also being built.

While the work is ongoing, staff and students are based at the Longton High site, which shut as a school in 2010.

Deputy headteacher Robert Faulkner, below right, said: "This will make a huge difference to the staff and pupils.

"We will have a building suitable for our needs instead of making do with something which wasn't really designed with our children in mind.

"It will allow us to provide a broader curriculum and more life skills learning.

"We cater for pupils with a full range of abilities, from those with moderate learning difficulties to talented and gifted youngsters."

The school currently has 67 pupils aged between five and 16, but it will increase to 80 once the work is completed.

A further 20 pupils are in post 16 education in other centres being managed by the Aynsley School staff.

The teaching is tailored specifically for children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, with a maximum of seven pupils per class.

To provide for their complex needs, each pupil has a personalised programme focusing on attaining literacy, numeracy and ICT skills while also improving their practical life skills.

Josh Gratton, aged 12, is in the Porsche class in year eight. He said: "The new school looks great, one of the classrooms has been demolished and the new sports hall is being built.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to the school and using the new weights area in the sports hall."

Contractors Wates and Thomas Vale are due to complete the improvements in April next year.

The overhaul is part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which will see every secondary and special needs school across Stoke-on-Trent rebuilt or refurbished at a total cost of £250 million.

New buildings and refurbishments at 18 schools are expected to be completed by 2014.

Stoke-on-Trent city councillor Ruth Rosenau, council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is about providing the best for future generations. We want to give children in this city the best possible chance to excel.

"The BSF project is transforming our education facilities and it's something for everyone to be proud of. Some of our schools are long past their sell by date and we are investing to change that."