Local Outcome 6: The Woodland View story so far - new ASN school delivers for pupils
Our older population and more vulnerable citizens are supported to maintain their independence and enjoy a high quality of life, and they, their families and carers benefit from effective care and support services.
Friday 3 May 2024.
East Dunbartonshire Council’s brand new school for children and young people with additional support needs opened in August 2023. It provides them and their families with a modern, state-of-the-art facility where they can learn, play and thrive.
Woodland View Splash Pool
The £34.9m Woodland View School in Waterside, Kirkintilloch is home to pupils ranging in age from 2-18 years. It brings together the two communities of Campsie View School and Merkland School which for many years served these children, young people and their families.
Pupils are settled and comfortable in their much bigger, brighter and bolder surroundings and have achieved so much in their first few months.
Headteacher Kay Hunter, said, "For staff and pupils alike, seeing our brand-new school was hugely exciting as it surpassed all our expectations.
It is a beautiful building, designed with the pupils’ additional needs in mind. It empowers them to learn and play and to be aspirational about what they can achieve with the very best support in place.
“Life at the school is exceptionally busy and the children have had so many wonderful experiences already. We’re looking forward to more of the same for many years to come in our magnificent new home.”
Some of the many exciting opportunities for pupils include:
- Residential trips where they get to try activities like sailing and skiing
- Experts visiting the school to introduce them to different musical instruments, dancing, football and judo
- Attending music and football events with colleagues from other ASN schools
- Coffee mornings with staff and families, SENSE Scotland sessions, dance workshops, post school destination showcase, Makaton training and 1:1 work on sensory massage.
The Council’s Chief Education Officer, Greg Bremner said, “It’s wonderful to see the pupils and staff at Woodland View settle into the new school and make the very best of everything it has to offer.
“The building is an investment in the future of these children and young people’s lives. I’m sure the school will have a positive impact on them and those who attend in the future.”
In addition to all the features that the area’s other new-build schools contain, Woodland View has lots of extra facilities to help pupils enjoy the very best possible educational and care experience. These include:
- State-of- the-art sensory room and access to a range of sensory equipment
- Fitness suite
- Rebound room with floor-sunk trampoline
- Soft play with ball pit.
The final pieces in the jigsaw of this incredible facility are the hydrotherapy pool and the splash pool which the children simply adore.
The hydrotherapy pool is used in conjunction with the school’s health partners to work with children and young people experiencing mobility issues who benefit from being in the water.
In its calming and warm environment children can develop strength, enhance flexibility and increase endurance, whilst having an experience which may not otherwise be possible due to individual challenges around mobility.
Meanwhile, the splash pool is for sensory opportunities, social skills development and fun, and sessions in it might just be the highlight of the pupils’ week.
They enjoy a session each week where they get to jump, splash, dance and play with inflatables and water toys
Kay added, “The pool is such an important part of the school for the children. Not only is it a fun-filled time of the week but it helps encourage life skills like water safety, dressing, personal care and socialising where appropriate.
“We are very lucky and I’m delighted that we are making the best possible use of this and all our other facilities like soft play and sensory equipment to enhance the lives of our fantastic children and young people.”