Continuing progress at Park Lane School

Above: David met with Headteacher, Lorraine Warmer, Deputy Head, Emma Shaw and Tandy Palmes, Chair of Governors. 

Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, recently visited Park Lane School, to see the progress being made supporting students, with a range of special educational needs.

Ms Warmer took David around the new school building, opened in 2021, where he saw a range of state-of-the-art facilities, including a food technology classroom, with moveable hobs for wheelchair users and a ICT room with all the latest equipment.

The new building also allowed the school to build a dedicated complex needs room, fitted with a ceiling-mounted hoist system, which allows students to be transferred more easily and quickly and multi-sensory teaching techniques, such as colour lighting. 

During the visit, David heard how the school has seen an increase in demand leading to the development two form classes, starting in the early years.

The classes are named after key landmarks in Macclesfield, such as Bollin, Treacle and Jodrell. Students receive a full and varied education, including music therapy, which takes place twice a week and supports students with their communication. 

David also visited the sixth form section of the school and was given a tour by one the students who has been at Park Lane since nursery. He showed David one of the key features of the sixth form area, “the flat”, in which students can learn to be independent through making their own bed, meals and washing up. He also explained that the school works closely with charities and organisations in the community, such as Hope Café, to provide work experience for students.  

Speaking after the visit, David said “Park Lane School plays an important role in our local community. I am very grateful for all that Ms Warmer and the hard-working school team does to support pupils in the classroom and their families. The school provides vital support to children with a range of complex challenges from the first day of entering the school, and it was positive to hear some of the journeys students had been on in the school to reach their full potential.”