'We could lose her again': Family of ASN pupil heartbroken at New Struan school closure

The family of a pupil with additional support needs say the closure of a specialist school in Alloa is “heartbreaking” for their daughter.

Scottish Autism said it was “deeply saddened” to announce the closure of New Struan School and its residences from June next year.

The charity’s board described the decision as being due to a gradual decline in referrals over the past decade.

The school, which opened in 1977, provides specialist education to hundreds of autistic children from across Scotland and was originally built to support 42 pupils.

But current numbers show there are only six learners, three of whom are due to leave in the summer.

New Struan School to close next year. New Struan School

Erica and Kelly Burrows’ daughter Ava, who has severe complex needs and is non-verbal, is one of the six pupils who attend the school.

Her parents say the 12-year-old’s life has changed in a year from being “shut down, isolated and unable to communicate” to being “happy, sociable, independent, and confident” at New Struan.

The couple won a tribunal to get their daughter into the school after she was previously in a provision within a primary school.

“It is horrifying for us to think that regression will not stop.”
Erica and and Kelly Burrows on their daughter Ava.

Erica told STV News: “After three weeks at New Struan, she came out herself, she was standing at the front door waiting to go.

“She has become more sociable, spends time in the house with us, and is more tolerant of new things and people. She engages in everything.

“Ava has severe complex needs, she’s non-verbal and still in nappies. She has a limited understanding.

“She’s so excited that she can communicate at New Struan and that people understand her. To see her like that as a family, it’s amazing.”

The youngster’s family fear may regress without the one-to-one support she receives at New Struan.

They added: “She’s going to end up reverting back to the little girl she was, it’s totally heartbreaking to think.

“It is horrifying for us to think that regression will not stop.

“She does have the ability to revert all the way back to being a baby. During Covid, she wanted to be lifted and bottle-fed. For us, that’s a total possibility and we can’t stop that regression.”

Petition

A petition has been launched with over 370 signatures in a bid to save the school from closure.

They said: “We would like to provided with an opportunity to stop the school from closing. If there’s a financial deficit, give us a chance to fill it.

“We are willing to do anything to make it happen. We need someone to firmly stand behind our daughter.”

Scottish Autism say local authorities are now seeking to support children closer to their own communities, and as a result, the school’s financial situation is “unsustainable.”

The charity says it will continue to provide support to families and young people, and campaign for better provision for autistic learners.

A Scottish Autism spokesperson said: “We understand that this decision is upsetting for families.

“Each family received a phone call on Tuesday as well as a letter setting out the reasons behind our decision and what the next steps will be.

“The school will remain open for the next nine months, which will enable us to work with the young learners, their families and the professionals who support them to ensure they are supported in their transitions, whether that is to adult services or to alternative education provision.

“We will continue to communicate with families throughout this process as we work towards the school’s closure in June 2026.”

Charity statement

A statement from the charity earlier this week read: “We recognise the excellent work still carried out by our team of teachers and support staff, and this decision is in no way a reflection on their dedication and hard work.

“However, times have changed, and local authorities are now seeking to support children closer to their own communities.

“We have seen a gradual decline in referrals over the past decade, and a school originally built for 42 young people now supports only six learners, three of whom will leave school in the summer.

“This makes it harder to provide a school community and shared learning experience in the way that we have in the past.

“As a result of this shift in commissioning, neither the model offered, nor the financial situation faced by New Struan are sustainable.

“We hear every day from families about the challenges they face, accessing education for their young people.

“That’s why Scottish Autism will continue to provide advice, support and information to families and young people, to drive change in education by campaigning for better provision for autistic learners, and to use the knowledge and skills our team has developed to offer local, individualised and inclusive support to autistic young people.

“Given that most autistic young people are now placed in mainstream schools, we are also seeing increasing demand for our training and consultancy service.

“Through this work, we partner with teachers to improve Inclusion and ensure that autistic children receive the education to which they are entitled, building on the expertise of New Struan.

“We are determined to support autistic young people to learn and flourish, which has been part of the mission of Scottish Autism since our foundation.”