Mum praises "life-changing" funding for a new school
Highland Councillors agreed ÂŁ13m for St Clement's yesterday as part of a wider school investment plan
Last updated 25th Jun 2021
A mum says parents of pupils at a Highland special needs school are "in tears of joy" after funding was confirmed to go towards a new build.
Highland Councillors agreed to a ÂŁ54m capital investment plan for five schools yesterday.
This included ÂŁ13m going towards St Clement's special school in Dingwall.
Parents have been campaigning for more than 20 years to replace the school.
"Overwhelming joy"
Head of the new build sub committee at St Clement's, Christyna Ferguson, says the update is "bitter-sweet" as her own daughter will have left the school by the time the new one is built, but is delighted the funding has been approved.
She said: "People were in tears of joy, we’ve had statements like 'I’m pinching myself' and 'I can’t believe this is happening.'
"Just overwhelming joy and disbelief, but in a happy sense.
“It’s life-changing for our children, they will be able to access facilities that meet their needs adequately.
“They will be able to partake in a full curriculum."
Parents will remember how long it has taken for funding to be approved.
In 2018, MFR News spoke to Christyna and the then Scottish Government Children's Minister Maree Todd about the school's"horrific" condition.
Christyna tells us why a new school for St Clement's pupils is desperately needed and how there's still a long way to go.
She added: "Two of the buildings are very dilapidated, they don’t have adequate toilets.
"The children have no adequate washing and changing facilities
"There is no assembly hall there is no gym hall, it is absolutely appalling.
"It has been really arduous and life consuming, so we are elated, but we will remember how long it has taken us as we move forward and as we endeavour to make this school all it can be for our children.
"St Clement’ school roll has gone from 38 to 54 in six years and now has a waiting list, so it’s also very important that we get this building right and we get it right first time.
"To allow for the children already there, for the children that need to come in but can’t and for future projections of children that may need this school so it is absolutely vital.
"We have a great opportunity here for this school to benefit not only our children, but the wider community that desperately needs some of the facilities that we’re hoping to have in this school."