Hazelwood School, believed to be Europe's most advanced school for children with multiple disabilities and sensory impairments, was officially opened on Monday.

Designed by award-winning Glasgow architects Murray Dunlop, the new £6.8m school opened to staff and pupils of the former Carnbooth (which specialised in dual sensory impairment) and Kelvin (multiple disabilities and visual impairment) Schools in August last year and since then everyone has been enjoying the benefits of this fantastic building.

Hazelwood has a capacity of 60, and supports children and young people from pre-school to 18 years of age - and not just Glasgow pupils - one pupil travels daily from Lockerbie.

The current school roll is 48 and the school also boasts a stand-alone, three-bedroomed house which is used to teach the pupils life skills.

The school offers a comprehensive range of facilities, all customised to address the complex needs of its pupils. Among them are a gym with floor-level trampoline and soft play equipment, hydrotherapy pool with mobile hoists, art, music and cookery rooms, a library and open-plan dining/assembly area.

-- Advertisement --

The school also has a doctor's room, a nurses room, physiotherapy room plus an outdoor music, play and sensory area.

It also features a sensory wall, allowing pupils to trail along the main corridor. This sensory wall facilitates a better level of independence for pupils.

The design brief for Hazelwood was drawn up in full consultation with the staff at Carnbooth and Kelvin, the school boards, parent bodies, health services and relevant voluntary bodies.

In March this year the school was singled out and won a prestigious Civic Trust Award.

Bailie Gordon Matheson, Executive Member for Education and Social Renewal said: "Hazelwood is a unique school in the city, and the best of its kind in Scotland. The atmosphere is very happy and creative, the staff and parents are highly committed, and the children are a joy to teach.

"Moreover, the award-winning building provides the ideal learning environment to meet the children's particular needs, and I wish all who are part of the community of Hazelwood School health, happiness and success in the years ahead."

Monica McGeever, Hazelwood's head teacher, said that her staff and pupils have really enjoyed preparing for the official celebrations.

She said: "The pupils, parents and staff of the school are delighted with the building. In the past nine months since we moved to this new campus, we have seen significant progress in our pupils.

"The accessibility of this building, together with the specialist features, such as the lifeskills house, allows us to challenge pupils and provide them with high quality learning experiences.

"Our aim is to ensure that our pupils are given the skills that will allow them to lead happy and fulfilling adult lives. Hazelwood School provides a highly appropriate context in which to acquire these skills."

(GK/JM)