A TEACHING unit for children with speech and language disorders has been revamped after a £500,000 investment.
The specialist unit at Applegarth Academy in Fieldway now has three large, modern classrooms, a therapy room, office, meeting room, toilets, changing room, and soft-play surface outside.
The investment from the council means children can now be taught separately in year groups, rather than all together in one room as the previous building required. The centre provides 18 places, from reception to Year 6, for children with severe speech and language disorders. They are supported by NHS speech and language therapists and assistants and are each part of a mainstream class.
Children are helped to develop the confidence to return to full mainstream education if and when they are ready.
Head teacher Zoë Harris said: "This is a brilliant new addition to the school and provides an excellent environment for children to receive the support they need to help them overcome speech and language difficulties.
"These sorts of problems can have a huge impact on children's future quality of life, so, by addressing them early on and providing children with the skills they need, we are helping them to reach their full potential."
