Exclusive: New additional needs unit to open at site of former New School at Butterstone

Tay News can exclusively reveal a new specialist support facility at the grounds of the former New School at Butterstone will open next week.

Moore House Care and Education has been given the green light to open the Perthshire unit - six months after the previous school's sudden closure left it's 24 kids with additional needs in limbo.

One of these was Susan Briggs' teenage boy who has autism.

"This is a huge relief for us, my son hasn't had a school now for almost six months," she said.

"Although we looked carefully there were no other appropriate schools within the local area or outwith for us to try.

"Apart from some one to one tutoring he hasn't had proper schooling since November."

A dozen students from Perth and Kinross who attend the former New School will begin on Monday on a day placement basis - with bosses planning to turn it into a residential school in the near future.

Anne Gibson, chief executive officer of Moore House Care and Education said: "We received confirmation of our registration from the Registrar of Independent Schools on Friday.

"We acknowledge the need for both education and residential care provision. Our intention would be to have the residential homes on the Butterstone site up and running in the next 12 months or so.

"We acknowledge how difficult the last few months have been for parents and families since The New School closed.

"We've met with parents to start building profiles of the young people and assessing their individual needs."

It's understood the majority of staff from the former facility have been kept on with a new senior manager and principal teacher being appointed.

Angie Gordon was head of care at the previous school, but is not returning to the site under its new title Butterstone House.

She said the last six months have had a big impact on her former pupils.

"The reports that I've had are that some of the young people have become isolated, some have become withdrawn, some have got deteriorating mental health issues and some have had brushes with the criminal justice system," she said.

"I would like to think that the excellent provision that existed before would be recreated.

Financial difficulties were blamed by governors for The New School's closure in November last year.

Parents off the school have called for an independent inquiry to take place ever since and have held meetings with the deputy first minister John Swinney.

He says he is still considering the proposal and adds he is delighted with the announcement of a new unit opening.

"The question of a public inquiry is one that I will consider, as I promised parents. My priority has always been the educational needs of young people and I am delighted this significant step forward has been taken."

"The New School at Buttersone did a good job in supporting the needs of young people with particular challenges and they were happy and felt well supported by the school.

"It's obviously been very disruptive for the youngsters.