We have employed an experienced teacher within Elgin Academy who is being supported by colleagues from New Struan School in Alloa. We are also providing training and continued professional development to the school’s staff. The long term plan is to enable Moray Council to develop in the area of specialist teaching for students with autism so that they will ultimately have the capacity to extend their provision within the area.

The initiative also includes a specialist residential care provision for some of the young people who will be housed in fully supported accommodation. The aim is to help provide the service with a transition into more independent living as they progress into adulthood.

Jim Taylor, Director of Education at Scottish Autism said: “We are effectively utilising the expertise that we have developed in nearly 40 years of running New Struan School and implementing it into an inclusive, mainstream education environment in the north of Scotland. 

“We are proud to be given the opportunity to deliver this groundbreaking project alongside Moray Council, the first such partnership of its kind in Scotland. We believe this is an initiative that can ultimately be rolled out to other local authority areas to enhance learning opportunities for young people with ASD in Scotland.”

Graeme Gordon, Inclusion Development Manager (ASN) at Moray Council said: “The new building at Elgin Academy is a state of the art facility which illustrates Moray Council’s commitment to the education of its children and young people in a fully inclusive environment.  By harnessing the expertise of Scottish Autism and the enthusiasm of the staff at the school we have secured the education and care of a group of young people who otherwise might have required being educated outwith Moray. 

“The initiative also allows for specialist care for some of the young people in fully supported accommodation.  This will provide a much smoother transition for them as they grow into adults.  We very much look forward to further developing the model with Scottish Autism to support our continued commitment to children and young people affected by autism.”