New Isobel Mair school for special needs children opens in Newton Mearns

Mar 14 2012

Isobel Mair Image 1

A NEW £12.1million school for children with special needs has opened.

Children dressed up as pirates to celebrate the opening of Isobel Mair School last week.

The original school, named after Dr Isobel Mair, was in Clarkston but was so overcrowded, pupils were spread around eight miles apart in temporary campuses.

Now the school in Newton Mearns will be home to 132 pupils aged three to 18, with three teaching areas and a hydrotherapy pool.

It also has a life skills area, set out as a house where young people can learn skills including ironing, cooking and making the bed.

Speaking at the opening, one of Dr Mair’s five sons, Ranald, said: “We’re delighted to see that we now have hundreds of 
brothers and sisters.

“The accolade for mum isn’t the name on the building, it’s the lives of the young people at this school. She believed in the 
importance of parents and 
family.”

Head man Fabio Ramaglioni welcomed guests to the opening, pointing out how much the 
children love their new café, the garden and Corie House.

He said: “Our school is great fun.”

Head teacher Mairi Wallace said the children had settled in well.

She added: “The children don’t have one favourite thing in their new school.

"They love it all – from the art room, to the house to the hydrotherapy suite. It has made a huge difference to them.”

In addition to the new school, Isobel Mair’s family centre was officially opened on Friday.

Parent-council chairman Graham Campbell, who has a child at the school, said: “The staff at Isobel Mair don’t understand ‘can’t do’.

“We are delighted that East Renfrewshire Council has shown its support to our children.”