School wants to extend unit for special needs pupils

Overmonnow Primary in Rockfield Road has lodged plans with Monmouthshire council to extend two areas within the school’s special educational needs unit.

The plan includes a single-storey extension to extend two classroom areas and to extend an existing external covered area.

The school was purpose-built to partly accommodate a facility to assist 20 pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

The unit now accommodates 20 pupils covered by three classes, and caters for pupils with autism, severe learning difficulties and complex needs. Currently, there are 18 pupils with 13 staff.

Storage space for essential equipment such as classroom chairs, walkers and standard frames is tight and takes up a lot of space, which is limited with 18 pupils and 13 staff, the report states.

If approved, the extension would provide a space to accommodate such items, as well as wheelchairs, and free up space within the existing teaching zones.

The school says the additional areas will provide an enhanced teaching and learning experience and will be able to accommodate wheelchair users who will have direct access to the playground area from the extended classrooms.

Direct access would also help develop pupils’ independence, self help skills, confidence and self-esteem, it added.

The extra space would provide space and calm for those with complex needs to learn.

Creating extended covered areas would enable pupils who need to time to go into the open out in all weathers. The improvements would also provide better direct access for wheelchair users on to the playground and will help reduce the need for numerous transfers.

David Watson, the agent acting on behalf of the school, said: “It will greatly improve the day to day running of the unit, and long-term benefits for staff and pupils as well as the local community.”

Monmouthshire council has yet to consider the application, but if approved the work would take place during the summer holidays.