A NORTH Yorkshire secondary school is looking to create a new autism centre.

Tadcaster Grammar School is renovating a former art building in the school grounds in order to meet the growing needs of young people with autism who attend the school.

Melanie Carroll, assistant lead teacher for vulnerable students at the school, said: "We are hoping to landscape the garden area, add a perimeter fence and create a covered area for outside learning where children can learn, play and communicate safely.

"We are also hoping to acquire a sunken trampoline to help self-regulation. We want to put in a kitchen so that children can complete vocational learning/AQA awards and we also want the children to be able to bake and cook with future plans to hold ‘open café’ days for the community.

"A sensory room is also planned along with classrooms. The upstairs space is wonderful but currently not accessible, due to fire regulations; hence an outdoor staircase is being looked at.

"Ultimately we want to be able to meet the requirements of children with more complex needs so that they can attend a local school."

Mrs Carroll said that the school doesn't currently have a cost for the project and hopes to rely heavily on volunteers - including tradespeople who will volunteer their time and companies who may donate.

She said: "We also have a few KS4 students with Autism Spectrum Condition who follow bespoke timetables and a vocational pathway who, as part of their vocational qualification/accreditation have been keen to complete work on this project - upcycling furniture, helping at a recent cake sale and painting and decorating.

"Their sense of pride and ownership on the project is incredible and the sense that they are part of something ‘big’ where they can make their mark and leave their legacy too."

The school is holding a car boot sale on June 9 to raise funds and will be holding a competition to ‘Name the Base’ along with arranging other fundraising events in the summer. A parent is also running a marathon to help raise money.

Mrs Carroll said: "We will have a couple of stalls selling donated items and upcycled furniture rescued from the derelict building at the car boot and some of our students will be selling cakes and tea and coffee.

"The support so far has been incredible with people from our local community and many staff members volunteering to help our initial ‘clean up’ day last Monday.

"The hope is that we would be able to open in September 2018 in readiness for the new school year. We have ‘big plans’ that can only be realised with the support of local businesses, tradespeople, volunteers and fundraising."