On Friday I was pleased to visit Lakeside School, a specialist school that provides high quality education for boys and girls with special educational needs. These include ADHD, autism, speech, language and communication difficulties and social and emotional difficulties. 75% of their intake are on the autistic spectrum at the higher functioning end and many have Asperger’s Syndrome.

The school has offered primary education for 21 years, taking children from across the city region and wider North-West. Head Vicky Size showed me around their new secondary facilities that opened recently, which currently has 11 pupils but will over the next three years scale up to 68 pupils receiving specialist support. This is being done gradually to manage the pace of change for their existing pupils, some of whom need extra time and support to adapt.

Lakeside tailor their education to each pupil, teaching not just academic subjects but vocational skills that will help their pupils later in life like budgeting and how to cope with bullying. When pupils leave school they receive help to find employment and can continue to access lifelong-learning support.

The school is invaluable for not just the pupils but their families as well. It has allowed parents to return to work after having to leave employment to care for their child. I was pleased to see their newly-installed Johan Cruyff sports court, a multi-sport all-weather pitch that will widen the types of physical activity Lakeside can offer.

I wish Lakeside continued success as they expand and will be keeping in touch with their progress in the future.