Langside School, run by local disability charity Diverse Abilities, recently installed a brand-new trampoline for pupils that attend the specialist school to provide therapeutic exercise and recreation for the children.
Trampolining is used at Langside School to facilitate movement, promote balance and develops co-ordination. The experience of movement into space with the return to stability, while remaining in control, provides an enriched learning experience, for children and young people with motor and sensory impairments. Rhythmic activities, like bouncing, are very comforting to many of the pupils supported at the school.
Nicola Priddle, assistant headteacher at Langside School, said: “Trampolining challenges and encourages the pupils as individuals by supporting them to experience an activity that they would not normally be able to access. The benefits of this to our children may include improved mobility but will also provide opportunities to develop pupil’s individual communication skills and boost their emotional wellbeing.”
The new trampoline was installed thanks to funding from Tesco Bags of Help, Circo Lounge, parents and friends of the school, plus funding from a trust.
Nicola added: “A special thank you also goes to John White and Chris Maund, caretakers at Langside School, for all their hard work to ensure the safe installation.”
To find out more about Langside School and the work of Diverse Abilities, please visit www.diverseabilities.org.uk