Parents 'not giving up' as campaign for new St Clement's School continues

Parents at a Highland school for children with complex needs insist they'll keep fighting for a new building, after fundraising £50,000 for new play equipment.

St Clement's in Dingwall has previously been described as 'Dickensian' with concerns about the condition of the school highlighted multiple times over the last 20 years.

With a campaign still ongoing to replace it, parents decided to take matters into their own hands to help find money to improve the playground.

They're now issuing a big thank you to all who have contributed towards the fundraiser, and plan to start improving the play equipment next year.

"It will enhance their quality of life"

Certain sections of the school are more than 100 years old and parts of it aren't easily accessible as corridors are too narrow for wheelchairs.

The school, for young people aged between 3-18, also lacks specified departments such as science and home economics.

St Clement's Parent Council Chair Avril Robertson explained why they decided to help out with the play equipment last year.

She said: "There is very little there in the way of accessible play equipment.

"Obviously, there are children who go to St Clement's who have physical disabilities as well so we're hoping to get equipment all the children can use including the wheelchair users.

"This playground upgrade will change lives.

"It will enhance their quality of life and will add so much to their day."

This comes as parents are due to meet with Highland Council officials tomorrow over a new build for St Clement's.

Lorraine MacLean's 15-year-old son Caleb has autism and a rare genetic disorder, she feels they've waited too long.

She said: "We're not going to give up.

"I think we now have so much support and it's not just for my son, it's for all the kids.

"We just want what they deserve and nobody is more deserving than our children."

Another parent, Inga Ballantyne, says knowing the condition of her child's school is difficult, but is happy they're helping improve the playground.

She said: "It's really tricky.

"Especially if you compare it to different schools within the area and knowing it has been so long that people have talked about it.

"Generations have heard about a new St Clement's School needing to be built.

"To be able to put a positive spin by actually trying to do something we feel we have a bit more control over has been really good for everybody."

Lisa Douglas' 15-year-old son Anthony, who has Down's Syndrome, is also a pupil at the school and she has praised the backing from the local community.

She said: "Even when we do things like bucket collections and people put money in, they've got a story to tell about their connections to the school.

"The community are always behind us, they're always willing to support."