CHILDREN with acute special needs are being welcomed into mainstream education. Hartsdown Technology College at Margate is the first secondary school in Kent to provide such an inclusion unit.

It is working in partnership with the Foreland special school at Broadstairs to provide a collaborative study area on the college campus. Principal Brian Lippitt said: “This is an innovative development with a specially built centre for children with quite severe physical and educational disabilities.

“We want them to be included and integrated into college life where possible. Some will benefit from attending lessons while others will gain simply from being part of the campus life.

“They are taught by specialists and there is full medical and ancillary support where needed. The college has been adapted to cater for the access needs of those with physical disabilities.”

Although the unit was officially opened on Thursday, January 31, it was already in operation and working successfully.