New facility for additional support needs pupils at Wick High School

24th January 2026

Photograph of New facility for additional support needs pupils at Wick High School

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

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

Today : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.  

29/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Hidden Cost of a 1% Capital Budget Cut: Could Scotland's Schools, Roads and Highland Investment Plans Be Affected?

The Chancellor's decision to reduce departmental capital budgets by 1% could have consequences well beyond Westminster.  Scotland faces a reduction in capital funding, while Highland Council is embarking on a £2.1 billion investment programme that includes a proposed £100 million education campus in Thurso.  

28/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Fuel Prices Rise, Who Pays the Bill for Public Services?

Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on.  School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.  

27/10/2026 : Local Authority

Gaelic Spending Under Scrutiny: Can Highland Council Afford Another Post While Jobs Are Under Pressure?

The council has legal responsibilities to support Gaelic, but with budgets stretched and services facing difficult choices.  Residents are entitled to ask how priorities are decided across the Highlands.  

24/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Libraries, Leisure Centres and Local Culture Face Growing Pressure as Council Charges Rise

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences.   Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.