A school in West Lancashire, which focuses on children with communication difficulties, is making more pupil places available and extending its range of provision.

Pontville School in Ormskirk has up to 15 new places available for children aged 7 to 11, in a specialist unit. This expansion of provision has been agreed by Ofsted and recognises the continued high quality of education and care offered by the school.

The new primary unit within the school, part of the Witherslack Group’s growing portfolio, will cater specifically for children identified as having more severe needs associated with Communication Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Headteacher, Iain Sim said: “This is a new initiative for Pontville school and working in conjunction with our sister school Lakeside, in Liverpool, which specialises in working with primary aged children who have higher functioning ASD, the Witherslack Group are now able to meet the complete range of all Autistic Spectrum Disorders.”

Mike Barrow, Director of the Witherslack Group said: “This is a very exciting time for us and the extra number of pupil places and increased provision can only be a positive thing for children, parents and Local Authorities not only across the North West but at a national level.”