Dyslexia support could be rolled out across all primary schools in Aberdeenshire if parents back council proposals.
The local authority in Aberdeenshire is polling parents across the north-east on its two dedicated units at Crimond and Kellands primaries.
It is proposed that these units be closed under a new model of enhanced provision that would allow pupils with dyslexia to be taught in their own schools instead of travelling to a specialist facility.
Last night, the council’s head of education, Vincent Docherty, said the authority already aimed to ensure all its schools were dyslexia and autism-friendly.
“The consultation on Crimond and Kellands learning units follows an extensive review of enhanced provision over two years and engagement with parents, pupils and staff.
“It also links to work undertaken by the service to modernise the school estate,” he said.
“We work to address the needs of every child and young person in Aberdeenshire and will continue to do so to ensure they receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.”
The authority’s current policy aims to support pupils who require help as locally as possible.
It is hoped that the move to close Crimond and Kellands support units would prevent unnecessary travel disrupting a child’s education.
Isobel Davidson, chairwoman of the council’s education committee, said that the change would also enable more children to access the support available.
“We’d like to make sure that every child has got equal access to the same facilities. At the moment they don’t, it’s mixed throughout the area,” she said.
“What’s there at the moment would change and there would be similar facilities throughout Aberdeenshire – but it won’t be bases. Each school would have the ability to do it itself.”
Resources, including staff, from the Crimond and Kellands units would be re-deployed where needed if closed.
A consultation event will take place in Kellands primary tonight at 6.30pm.