Alternative education building gets £1m investment

The improved facilities include a science lab, art room and specialist food technology and catering provision

More than £1m has been invested in a new school building for children and young people who have struggled in mainstream education.

Gloucestershire County Council have spent about £1.3m buying and refurbishing The Eastbrook Centre in Gloucester, which educates up to 48 Year 10 and 11 pupils.

Part of the Altus School, the improved facilities include a science lab, art room and specialist food technology and catering provision.

Councillor Philip Robinson, cabinet member for education and bus transport, said the investment was all about supporting some of the "most vulnerable young people back into education".

Mr Robinson added: "Over the last few years, we have transformed our alternative provision to focus on earlier intervention and outreach work with pupils in mainstream schools who could be at risk of exclusion, to support them to remain and thrive in their current school."

The council said that improving the SEND [special educational needs and disability] and alternative provision offer for young people is one of its "top priorities".

Director of alternative provision and headteacher at The Altus School, Emma Gundry, said: “We have a fantastic team of dedicated staff who work with our pupils to support them to overcome some of the challenges they have had at school; to build relationships with them and support them to engage positively with education.”