Nov 24, 2023, Manly Observer: Autism-specific school expands to meet local need https://manlyobserver.com.au/autism-specific-school-expands-to-meet-local-need/
Autism-specific school, Aspect Vern Barnett in Forestville, has expanded to meet increasing demand in the Northern Beaches region.
The school had an official relaunch last week following a two year renovation, increasing its capacity 90 primary school aged children.
Members of the Vern Barnett family, as well as MP Michael Regan and MP Matt Cross, attended the launch and toured the school.
Touring the new classrooms – there are six more than before at the school.
The works saw renovated and newly built additional classrooms, taking the total to fifteen, along with new calm, sensory and active playground spaces, and a multi-purpose room incorporating autism specific design improvements to support sensory requirements….
Principal, Anna Brady said the new facilities were a welcome improvement.
“Thanks to the extensive additions and renovations, we are now in a position to increase enrolment numbers moving into 2024 and beyond, to meet demand in the local community.” Aspect says it uses a transition approach to learning which means students are equipped with the skills and capabilities required to transition into mainstream settings, whether it be a mainstream learning environment or the workforce.
“More than 1,650 people in the immediate LGA and surrounding suburbs are diagnosed Autistic, and we are pleased to play a role in supporting their journey,” Ms Brady said.
