Plans for a new £4m purpose-built secondary school for South Lanarkshire pupils with additional support needs have been given the go-ahead.

The school, which will be built by Kier Construction and located in Blantyre, will provide education for up to 60 pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs (SEBN) from across South Lanarkshire.

The modern new facility will be designed specifically to accommodate the educational needs of SEBN pupils and will include six general classrooms as well as bespoke areas for the teaching of science, home economics, hair and beauty, IT and technical craft.

Separate ‘cottage’ provision which offers more intensive support will also be located on site.

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A fitness suite and a floodlit 3G all-weather five-a-side pitch, which will both be available for community use out of school hours, have also been included in the design, along with a dining room and shower and changing facilities.

In line with property security and safety measures, a boundary fence and CCTV cameras will be installed, and vehicle and pedestrian accesses created at separate points.

Deputy chair of the planning committee Cllr Patrick Ross-Taylor, said: "This proposal mirrors the council’s commitment to making sure all children can learn and develop in modern environments which are fit for purpose.

"Currently the council’s provision for secondary school SEBN pupils is focused on two buildings which are more than 40 years old. The proposal before us aims to remedy that situation, whilst at the same time creating one modern secondary school which can accommodate young people, with very specific needs, from across South Lanarkshire.

"This new approach will also ensure the council continues to reflect the recommendations of ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’, helping to bring about positive outcomes for every young person in later life."

(GK)