PBP suggest former Strabane Grammar School could SEN centre for North West
And she has urged them to repurpose the former site of Strabane Grammar School as a specialist centre where children across the Northwest can access dedicated, specialist and professional facilities which cater for their individual requirements and abilities.
Said Carol Gallagher: “‘The EA are currently considering alternatives for the former site of Strabane Grammar school in Strabane.
“It has been vacant since 2020, and the EA intends to dispose of the site if no educational use is identified.
“I have proposed that the EA repurpose this site as a specialist centre, providing key services in one accessible
setting.
“Working for some time in peripatetic Special Educational Needs support services across the Strabane district, it is evident to me that our SEN provision is under increasing pressure.
“Children living with diagnoses of autism, Asperger’s and similar conditions are struggling for assessments, school places and support.
“Local schools are doing their very best to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for children and young people but are stressed to their limits.
“The EA needs to recruit more teaching and support staff, upgrade buildings/capacity and fund specialist learning and teaching resources.
“This proposal would ensure that the EA’s preference for educational use is achieved and ensure improved services and access to educational support for all children across the Northwest.”
