Monday September 7th 2026
Michael Roach, Inverclyde Council's interim director of education, Kirstin Glancy, King's Oak Primary head teacher, and Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council's vice-convener of education, with pupils in one of the refurbished rooms in the new ASN base at King's Oak Primary in Greenock.
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Extra support is in place for primary children in Inverclyde with additional needs thanks to council investment of over £200,000.
The local authority has created two new additional support needs (ASN) bases at King’s Oak and St Andrew’s primaries in Greenock to meet growing demand and improve access to specialist services.
They opened in time for the start of term in August following a raft of improvements carried out during the summer holidays.
Inverclyde Council also invested an additional £800,000 across the two schools in further refurbishment works but the overall investment in the primary ASN expansion is much higher when additional staffing and other associated costs are added.
In recent years, the local authority has also introduced a secondary ASN provision base at Clydeview Academy and expanded existing centres, including Craigmarloch School and All Saints Primary.
Councillor Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Council’s vice-convener of education, said: “We know that demand for specialist services is growing which is why we have taken these positive, proactive steps to increase our ASN offer across primary and secondary.
“The new ASN bases at King’s Oak and St Andrew’s will help us to continue to meet the needs of pupils who need extra support while putting to good use available space within the schools.
“Expanding primary ASN into two further settings also brings specialist services closer to the people who may need them and will cut down on travel for families.
“This is a really positive move and I’m delighted to see the staff and pupils are settling in well in their new surroundings and wish them success for the new term.”
King’s Oak and St Andrew’s were explored as alternative locations because primary provision at existing centres had reached capacity.
Education officials also wanted to ensure ASN services are in places that are more accessible to people across Inverclyde and minimise travel for families and utilise empty or underused classrooms at the schools.
Following committee approval of the King’s Oak and St Andrew’s proposals, the council carried out a public consultation to allow parents, staff and other key stakeholders the opportunity to share their views on the plans.
There is capacity for up to 48 pupils in total across both schools – 24 per site.
The council carried out a package of works at both schools during the summer to make the necessary improvements required for the new ASN bases and further enhance the schools.
The works included installation of more energy-efficient LED lighting, ceiling replacements, and decoration.
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