UPDATED: Autism teaching facility gets the go ahead

Published 22 Aug 2012 22:00 2 Comments

UPDATED: Plans for a specialist teaching unit for autistic pupils at Reading College's King's Road campus have been given the green light tonight.

A SPECIALIST teaching unit aimed at preparing autistic pupils for the world of work and independent living is set to win approval tomorrow.

Reading Borough Council's planning committee have been recommended to give the go ahead to plans by the local authority for the single-storey facility at Reading College's King's Road campus.

The council will fund the £1.35m project - catering for up to 16 students with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) - but the college will be responsible for its day to day running, with three full time staff members.

In a report prepared for the committee, planning officer Robert Froud-Williams explains that ASD covers a range of conditions resulting in impaired social interaction and communication, and adds: "In general terms, children who have an ASD don't develop social and language skills that other children of the same age do.

"As a result, they find relating to other people difficult and may also have unusual behaviours and learning disabilities. The proposed facility will assist in the education and development of persons aged between 16-18 who have ASD in their passage from education into the world of work and living independently."

The building will be "quiet and free from over stimulation", with lighting, sound and colours designed to encourage pupils to learn in a comfortable environment. The report states the curriculum will be "progressively challenging" but flexible to meet the need of individuals.

It adds: "It will focus on preparing students with the social and emotional skills (and qualifications as appropriate) needed to make a successful transition into young adult life."

If approved, the facility will be built in the north-west corner of the campus, behind houses in Orts Road. The council would also have to pay £13,000 towards transport improvements.

Council spokesman Dalitso Njolinjo said: "The Council is absolutely committed to ensuring that all residents have the chance to take part in further education.

"This will be a wonderful resource for pupils with ASD, complimenting the facilities at Newbridge Nursery, Christ the King, and Blessed Hugh Faringdon Schools.

"Importantly, this new facility will help improve pupils' prospects for work and living independently in the future."

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 21 Aug 12

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  Mr F.
  Unregistered User
  Aug 21, 11:36
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  This is rather rare, RBC not squandering public funds and something of actual benefit to Reading. Will wonders never cease?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 0

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  Spend some more
  Unregistered User
  Aug 29, 20:36
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  I'm delighted that 16 students are being helped in this way. £1.6 million is a lot of money. £1m was spent at Christ the King so when is Blessed Hugh Faringdon going to get the same amount of money spent on it? Those portakabins are not good enough for the children at Blessed Hugh.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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