Petition: Enable Access to Enhanced Support Spaces for Primary 1 & 2 Pupils in Aberdeenshire

We call on Aberdeenshire Council to remove the current restrictions preventing Primary 1 and 2 pupils from accessing Enhanced Support Areas within primary schools.

This policy contradicts the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) by limiting access to vital, tailored provisions for our youngest learners. While play-based learning is an important foundation, it is not sufficient for all children—particularly those with additional support needs who require structured, individualised environments to thrive.

The current approach appears to prioritise cost-saving over the wellbeing and development of vulnerable children. It is essential that all children, regardless of age, have equitable access to the support they need within mainstream education.

We urge the Council to reconsider this policy and ensure every child in Aberdeenshire receives the environment and support necessary to reach their full potential.

Aberdeenshire Council’s recent decision to restrict access to Enhanced Provision schools for Primary 1 and 2 pupils as part of a cost-saving exercise. This policy mandates that all children, regardless of individual needs, enter mainstream education at the beginning of their school journey.

The rationale behind this decision—that early education is primarily play-based and thus does not warrant tailored support—is fundamentally flawed. For many children, particularly those with additional support needs, the absence of appropriate provision in the early years results in significant distress and disruption. These pupils require consistent, specialised environments to thrive—not temporary placements that may be inappropriate for their needs.

This approach not only compromises the wellbeing and development of the children directly affected, but also places immense pressure on mainstream classrooms. Teachers are expected to manage a wide range of complex needs with limited resources, reducing the quality of education for all pupils.

Furthermore, delaying access to Enhanced Provision until later stages of primary education creates additional instability. Many children will face the unsettling experience of changing schools mid-way through their primary journey, just as they are beginning to settle and form secure relationships.

This policy benefits no one but the Council’s budget. It undermines the principles of equity and inclusion and contradicts the ethos of Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).

We urge Aberdeenshire Council to reconsider this decision and reinstate access to Enhanced Provision for Primary 1 and 2 pupils, ensuring that every child receives the right support, in the right place, at the right time.