OGILVIE Construction has finished work at Aberdeen’s new ‘first of a kind’ Orchard Brae School.
The £18.5 million facility will be a hub for best practice in supporting pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) from across the area.
Ogilvie said Orchard Brae will act both as a school and a community hub for families, ASN parents/groups and charities to access, as well as a hub for outreach services such as speech, language and autism support. The development will also provide a new resource centre for ASN teaching and training and a ‘multi-agency’ facility for health, education, social work and family support.
Features at the school include swimming and hydrotherapy pools, soft play and sensory rooms, wildlife and growing gardens and specialist art and home economic areas as well as play areas. Adjoining the school is Howes Hoose, which helps pupils to learn about independent living and features a bedroom, kitchen and living space where children can develop life skills in a home setting.
Councillor Jenny Laing, leader of Aberdeen City Council said, “It’s fantastic to be able to visit such an amazing facility, the first of its kind in Scotland, right here in Aberdeen. This is more than a school; it’s a Centre for Excellence that is leading the way nationally as a central point from which children and young people who have additional support needs, and their families, can access support and guidance from a range of partners.”
Donald MacDonald, managing director at Ogilvie Construction added, “Our team worked closely with Aberdeen Council to ensure that this complex project was delivered successfully, creating a high-quality learning that meets the needs of the community.”
