Talbot Village Trust has presented Linwood School with more than £34,000 to create an outdoor learning area for its pupils.
Linwood School is a day special school for children and young people aged 3-19 who have a comprehensive range of special educational needs and disabilities. The donation from the grant giving charity has enabled the school to transform an unused piece of land into a new outdoor learning and play area featuring sensory equipment. As a special school, Linwood’s pupils need to be able to climb, communicate with voices and sounds, experience tactile objects and use their bodies to bounce, swing and balance. Julie Jeanes, headteacher of Linwood School, said that the new outdoor area enables this, with climbing equipment including roll over bars, ‘teacup twisters’ and balancing play equipment. There are also puzzles, mirrors, mazes and ‘talking flowers’ that project voices and sounds.
Julie added: “We are delighted to have received such a generous and significant pledge from Talbot Village Trust. This donation has enabled us to further develop our outside learning area so that our pupils can communicate, share, explore and play together, meeting their sensory needs more effectively.
“On behalf of the pupils and staff of Linwood School I would like to pass on a huge thank you to Talbot Village Trust for supporting our project. I am also indebted to Sue James, our assistant headteacher, who had the vision and creativity to turn an unused area in our grounds into this wonderful space.”
Russell Lucas-Rowe, Trustee of Talbot Village Trust, added: “It is clear to see that our funding has enhanced the sensory learning at Linwood School, and this is something which we are passionate about as a trust.
“We look forward to seeing how the outdoor learning area continues to benefit pupils for years to come.”
Talbot Village Trust meets biannually, and will be accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the Trustees meet in spring next year. Please go to www.talbotvillagetrust.org for more information.