State-of-the-art specialist school opens in North Tyneside
22 Jul 2008
Ed Balls officially opens £10 million purpose-built state-of-the-art specialist school
Ed Balls displays his glove puppet skills to Chloe Biggins (7)
Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, has formally opened the brand new Beacon Hill School and Specialist College for Business and Enterprise in North Tyneside.
The £10million purpose-built state-of-the-art school caters for 130 pupils aged from two to 19 with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, and autism spectrum disorders.
Funded by North Tyneside Council and developed in partnership with parents and the local community, the school’s specialist facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, soft play and sensory rooms, a trampoline area for rebound therapy, a multi-use games area, music and drama suites, and bespoke teaching areas.
The school’s business and enterprise suite provides dedicated ICT facilities especially for students at secondary and sixth form levels, to enable further development and independence.
As well as being accredited by the National Autistic Society, the school has already attracted high praise from Oftsed.
Elected Mayor of North Tyneside John Harrison said: ‘We are committed to maximising the learning and life- chances of every single child in this borough. This world-class learning environment is the very best place for these pupils to discover and extend their capabilities, and to prepare them for life after school.’
Head teacher Helen Jones added: ‘Our mission is to inspire, challenge and educate. The official opening of our new school building by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families marks an exciting phase in the development of Beacon Hill and we are looking forward to an extremely bright future.’
