Salmond hails new school for deaf

First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened Donaldson's School

First Minister Alex Salmond has hailed the "first class" education given to deaf youngsters, as he officially opened a new purpose-built school.

Mr Salmond was at the new Donaldson's School in Linlithgow, West Lothian.

The school moved there from its previous home in Edinburgh. The sale of the old school building, together with fundraising, paid for the new one.

One of seven Scottish grant-aided special schools, it will also get £2m from the Scottish Government this year.

Mr Salmond said: "Donaldson's School is one of Scotland's most historic schools, with 150 years of teaching generations of young Scots.

"Today's opening of this new building in Linlithgow marks a new chapter in Donaldson's history."

He hailed the "excellent facilities" and "state of the art technology".

He said: "The Scottish Government acknowledges and supports the work of Donaldson's to provide a first class education for children who are deaf or have significant speech and language difficulties, while helping them to develop the necessary life skills to achieve future success.

"I congratulate the staff and pupils on their collective strength in making this school a national institute for education and I wish them all the best in their new, excellent school building."

Donaldson's chairman of governors, Rev John Chalmers, said: "Our new building has transformed the way we are meeting modern demands and delivering the very highest standard of specialist teaching and care."