A newly established school for special needs children is using cutting edge technology to keep its pupils and staff safe from the Coronavirus.

Queensmead House School in Kings Road,Windsor opened earlier this year as a school for children with special educational needs.

It protects its pupils from the virus by the use of a thermal imaging system across site that checks the temperature of pupils, staff and visitors as they enter the school. Anyone displaying a high temperature will be asked not to enter and advised to follow government guidelines on Coronavirus.

Headteacher Justine Sims said: ‘Our pupils and staff at Queensmead House School have very quickly got into a good routine of getting their temperatures checked. The camera reads each person’s temperature and will alert us if anyone’s temperature is above the safe level.’

Queensmead House is on the site of the former Brigidine School, which closed after 70 years in 2019 having gone into liquidation.

It was bought by the Witherslack Group which specialises in independent special needs schools and underwent an extensive redevelopment project before opening earlier in the year for children aged five to 16.

Its special needs status has enabled it to remain open throughout lockdown, during which time it has also provided vital support services such as free food parcels, food vouchers and online webinars to ease pressure on pupils and their families during the pandemic.

The pandemic has proved a challenge. But Julie Taylor, director of education at Witherslack, said: "We introduced the thermal imaging cameras to ensure our children, young people and our dedicated staff teams felt safe in their schools. The cameras have been well received by parents and carers who have been complimentary with the installation of the innovative technology.’

The Witherslack Group is a leading provider of specialist education and care for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication difficulties (autistic spectrum disorder; Asperger’s Syndrome; speech, language and communication needs), ADHD and complex learning needs.