Copyright: Fermanagh Herald, 15th September 2009
A new autism unit at Holy Trinity Primary School in Enniskillen is now up and running and catering for seven children.
The Principal, Fintan Murphy explained that the school's Autistic Spectrum Disorder Centre, in conjunction with the Western Board's Special Education Service, opened in temporary accommodation in September last year with children attending.
He went on: "We have been looking forward to moving to the new specially designed facility since then. We are therefore delighted that the children returning to school last week were able to transfer into the new facility.
"This new room provides the children with all their needs in an enclosed area, including a modern classroom area, direct access to toilets and a 'chill out' room and enclosed purpose-built outdoor play space."
The design of the ASD Centre ensures that the children have their own 'safe space' from which to explore the rest of the school.
"We now have seven children in the Centre from throughout Fermanagh, and they have all settled into their new room extremely well. In addition to the new facility, the children have access to a trained team of staff, including a teacher and two assistants. We also have direct support provided through the WELB Autism Advisory Service."
He said the Centre offered the children an opportunity to take full advantage of the small class specialist provision but, also, to spend time in the main school where they join their peers for a range of class activities."
Mr Murphy said staff were also delighted that, again with the support of the WELB Special Education Service, they had been able to open the Key Stage 2 Learning Support Centre this term.
"This facility will provide the children from the ASD Centre with their next stepping stone as they progress through the school. The Centre will also cater for pupils with a wide range of learning needs and we look forward to it growing over the next few years."
Both units are run by Holy Trinity PS but are funded directly through the WELB Special Educational Needs Service to provide for children throughout the county.
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