Scotland’s newest Additional Support Needs School (ASN) gets its official launch next week (Wednesday 1 November) as John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills opens the new Carrongrange High School in Grangemouth.

Offering places for up to 190 secondary pupils, the new school boasts some of the most advanced design features and support equipment for ASN pupils. The new build is located in the existing grounds of Moray Primary School, covers approximately 6050 square metres and is a replacement for the current Carrongrange School located in Larbert.

Built at a cost of £18m, construction started in February 2016 and was completed in July 2017 with the first pupils admitted in August 2017. It is part of the Scottish Government’s £1.8bn Schools for the Future programme.

All subject areas of the Curriculum for Excellence can be taught in the school including Science, Home Economics, Art, Drama, Music, Computing and many more. Specialist facilities also have been included such as a beauty therapy suite, a bike maintenance classroom, a teaching pool and hydrotherapy pool and fully equipped modern classrooms with Smart technology.  Desks, sinks, hobs and screens are fully height adjustable.

It also has a special ‘training flat’ that will be used to develop life skills with young people. It also has many environmental features such as lighting sensors; under floor heating; high levels of insulation; a biomass boiler to provide heating throughout the school.

The current school roll is 163.

Carrongrange Headteacher Gillian Robertson said:  “Pupils are thriving since coming into the new school and are building their knowledge and confidence every day with what’s on offer here. The pupils have settled in well since returning in August and the official opening marks a highlight for staff and pupils in an eventful year.

Councillor Adanna McCue, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Education said: “Carrongrange is an excellent environment for pupils to learn and achieve their potential in all curricular lead activities and much more. On my first visit I was amazed at the building and facilities. It is a fantastic place of learning. I am sure all pupils and staff will get so much from this modern designed and technological facility."