Given a one-in-five chance of living when born premature at 26 weeks, at one point it was unlikely Drumry girl Zoe Hay would even make her first day of school.

But she has done so well in her first year she will get to do even more next year and spend extra time with her friends thanks to some dedicated staff and support workers.

The five-year-old currently attends Linnvale Primary two days a week and Kilpatrick School the rest of the week. P1 has been so successful that she’ll increase to three days at Linnvale for P2 as the school has become a model for including all youngsters no matter what.

Zoe has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is deaf but has cochlear implants that help her to hear sounds, and has severe developmental delays.

Being around other youngsters has brought on her language skills in particular. So while she might not cope with full-time mainstream schooling, increasing to three days is a success to celebrate.

“Coming to parents evenings and getting the reports from both schools, she’s managing to hold her own with her peers,” said mum Karen, 44.

“This is going way better than we hoped for. She is making progress every day.”

When Karen and her partner, Brian Alcock, were looking at school options, Linnvale wasn’t ready to cope with a child in a wheelchair. They considered other schools but Zoe was already attending nursery at Linnvale and Karen, her brother, both parents and their six siblings all attended the school.

“Her mum and gran came here so there’s no reason for Zoe not to come here too,” said head teacher Lindsay Thomas.

The school had a ramp and a lift put in so Zoe could start school last year and she’s now so popular her classmates insist on taking over from mum when she arrives.

Karen said: “When we bring her in they’re all shouting for her – I cannot walk through the playground without kids wanting to take over and push her.

“Her teacher Gordon Farquhar was a bit worried at first but it’s been absolutely great – she’s coping with everything he is giving but with extra support.”

The school has gone the extra mile to ensure Zoe is included in as much as possible, including trips and shows. And if it’s on a day when she’s at Kilpatrick, the schools work together to make sure Zoe can take part in as much as possible.

As well as Kilpatrick’s staff, Zoe is getting support from her P1 teacher at Linnvale, learning assistant Myra Dew, Lisa Murray, teacher for the deaf Janice McKenzie, and deputy head teacher Margaret McCrory.

Mrs Thomas said: “Zoe has really settled in well to the school. She is a delight and you can see how found all the children as as well. Having so much language around her is really helping to bring on her language.

“West Dunbartonshire has a policy of inclusion and I think it’s the right thing for children.

“It’s good for other children to see children like Zoe to build up understanding that we are not all the same.” We believe in inclusion and nurture and having Zoe is part of our core beliefs.”

Karen, who volunteers regularly at Linnvale, said the family are looking forward to P2.

“I’m excited to see how her schooling goes,” she said. “There’s always nerves because of who she is and she needs the extra support.

“This year has gone so well we are definitely excited to see how a three-day week goes for her and hope the same progress can be made.

“I have nothing but praise.”