A MORAY secondary school has become the first mainstream secondary school in Scotland to be awarded ‘autism accreditation’, by the National Autistic Society.
Elgin Academy was visited by inspectors to assess its provision and practise in regard to providing education for students with autism.
In the award citation, the chair of Autism Accreditation, Fred Parsons, said the school can be proud of achieving the high standards required by the inspectors.
He said: “We congratulate the Elgin Academy upon achieving the high standards required of Autism Accreditation at this first review.
“The team review report was positive and encouraging, in particular given that the cohort of students with autism is very much a minority group within the academy population.
“The commitment and engagement with Autism Accreditation is a credit to the academy. “
The report highlighted the school’s inclusive practise and integration within the whole school environment, and its effective communication between staff, parents and pupils.
It highlighted a need for a second sensory room to be provided, and said that peer-to-peer contact for parents should be developed.
Head teacher at Elgin Academy, David Barnett, said: “The school works very hard to support all of our learners -this is an area which has been transformed in recent years, and autism has been a key focus for this.
“What is most important is the work we do every day to make a positive difference for young people with autism, but to have this recognised by an external body is clearly very rewarding for everyone involved.
“I would like to pay tribute to an excellent team of staff and pupils who have made this possible.”
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Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.
Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.
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