Collaborative unit for two Maltby schools

The unit has been opened between Hilltop Special School and Maltby Redwood Junior and Infant School.

It will see pupils, who have such things as autism and communication difficulties, from both schools spend time in it and help with integration of pupils.

Maltby Redwood headteacher David Harrigan said: “The idea is that we can take children who are on the special school roll but would benefit from some time in a mainstream school, but also it offers children with special learning needs at Maltby Redwood the chance to spend some time in facilities found in a special school.”

The idea of the unit came about around a year ago when funding for a new Hilltop school fell through.

Mr Harrigan said: “The local authority felt that we still needed more facilities and we had some extra space, so Hilltop approached us.”

“It (the unit) is really innovative. It’s an opportunity for children to work alongside children with learning difficulties and break down some of those barriers.”