8 June
Local MP visits Aurora Severnside School and highlights ‘brilliant’ provision
Following his visit to Aurora Severnside School on Friday (June 5), Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher said Gloucestershire was lucky to have such a brilliant special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.
It’s the second time Dr Opher has visited the school, located on Berkeley Green Science and Technology Park. The school currently has 45 pupils aged 11 to 16 with complex diagnoses, primarily relating to Autistic Spectrum Condition and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. Its catchment area includes Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Dr Opher said: “It’s always a pleasure to visit Aurora Severnside. When I first went last October, I was blown away by the outstanding level of support available to students at the school and the incredible level of expertise demonstrated by staff whilst providing it. My recent visit has only reinforced this impression.”
"I was blown away by the outstanding level of support available to students" Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher
During his visit, Dr Opher met staff and members of the school’s student council, with whom he discussed the growth of AI as well as employment opportunities for young people.
He said: “There’s a fantastic sense of togetherness in classrooms and amongst students. The school has done an excellent job cultivating an environment in which pupils can be themselves and focus on learning. I left with a profound sense of pride that we’re really lucky to have such brilliant SEND provision in the area.”
Accompanying Dr Opher on his visit was Headteacher Rachel Lynch and The Aurora Group’s CEO Kelvin Donald. Mr Donald said he was pleased to be able to welcome back Dr Opher to Severnside, particularly as his visit followed publication, in February, of the Government’s Schools White Paper, which set out significant reforms to the SEND system.
Kelvin said: “Whilst we recognise the need to reform the SEND system, we were able to share with Dr Opher our view that any changes must maintain highly personalised and flexible support that reflects the complexity and uniqueness of each young person’s needs.”
Following the visit, Dr Opher said: “I look forward to seeing how Aurora is able to contribute its expertise to the Government’s new SEND reforms."
