Fife Council planning more support for children with additional needs

PLANS are underway for two new additional support classes for children in Kirkcaldy and Dalgety Bay, following a review across Fife.

A public consultation will now take place over the next few months as the council asks for views on the plans to base new additional support classes in Dalgety Bay primary school and Strathallan primary school.

The council's education spokesperson Cllr Cara Hilton says the move will provide a better geographical spread of support across the Kingdom.

"This is a very welcome move and, if there is agreement with the proposals, these new classes will make a real difference to the different levels of support we can provide for children who need it."

Most children and young people in Fife with additional support needs attend local, mainstream schools.

However some children need to access more specialised support and attend one of eight additional support classes in different primary schools across Fife. These are in Benarty, Buckhaven, Cairneyhill, Canongate, Castlehill, Rimbleton, Pitreavie and Valley primary schools. There are also currently five special schools in Fife offering specialist education within Calaiswood, Hyndhead, John Fergus, Kilmaron and Rosslyn schools.

Although there are no children across Fife waiting for a space in an additional support classroom, a few children have to travel to access support.

Consultation events will take place in the new year and a final decision on the proposals will be taken at the council's Cabinet Committee in May 2025:

Public meeting - Thursday 23 January 2025 at 6-7 pm at Dalgety Bay Primary School
Drop-in sessions - Thursday 23 January 2025 at Strathallan Primary School at 8.45-9.30 am, 2.45-3.30 pm and 5-6 pm.
Public meeting - Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 6-7 pm at Strathallan Primary School
Drop-in sessions - Wednesday 29 January 2025 at Strathallan Primary School at 8.45-9.30 am, 2.45-3.30 pm and 5-6 pm.