New facility for additional support needs pupils at Wick High School

24th January 2026

Last week Wick High School was delighted to welcome guests from The Highland Council, Wick High Parent Council and the wider community to the open day of a new facility for children with additional support needs.

Avonlea, which was previously a residential unit, has now been repurposed, and this enhanced provision represents a significant step forward for pupils with complex additional support needs.

School Rector Sebastian Sandecki said: "Avonlea provides specialist spaces that we have not previously had in our high school and which have been greatly needed for a long time.

"The base includes purpose-built classrooms, multi-sensory rooms, a soft play room, a snug room, and secure outdoor space — all designed to support learning, wellbeing and development.

"This new environment will allow our pupils to access education in a way that meets their individual needs, helping them to feel safe, supported and ready to learn. We are incredibly proud of this development and grateful to everyone who helped make Avonlea a reality."

The premise of the work was to repurpose the previous residential unit on West Banks Avenue, Wick, to a designated additional support needs building to support learning in Caithness.

The six-bedroom unit has been altered within the confines of the original footprint, to provide three classrooms, specialised rooms for multi-sensory needs, safe play and soft play, life skills learning, changing places, and secure safe outdoor space to encourage various types of activities on various surfaces.

Planning approval was received in June 2024 and a competitive tendering process resulted in GMR Henderson being awarded to contract in early February 2025.

Funding came from Highland Council's capital budget.

Works began in April last year and continued until August.

After a soft transition, the school were able to begin using the facility in full from October 2025.

Chair of Highland Council's education committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: "This is a really impressive new facility which is going to make a big difference to the lives of pupils with additional support needs.

“The council is committed to helping all our young people to feel safe, valued and included in their learning, and a key part of that comes from ensuring they have access to the best environments suited to their needs.

“I congratulate all those who helped make this hugely positive development a reality."

Wick provost and councillor for Wick and East Caithness, Jan McEwan, attended the open day held on Friday 16th January and said: “I was so impressed with the varied and amazing facilities they have.

“There is a music room with various types of lighting, games and activities for the children. There are activities that can be played on the floor, along with a soft play area, as well as quiet rooms and classrooms, and a kitchen that has a full range of disabled facilities.

“It is truly an amazing place and good to see that Avonlea has a purpose which will benefit a lot of families throughout Caithness.

“I congratulate Encompass Caithness and other campaigners who worked very hard to get these facilities and I am delighted that Highland Council has been able to deliver them."

PHOTO
Rector Sebastian Sandecki stands outside the new facility. Picture: DGS