Post by The Dark Knight on Sept 26, 2014 23:01:39 GMT
We received this today.
If you have ever been to this school you will know what a difference our eforts have made...............
this will should appear this week in the papers
A level playing field
For most children, a playground with swings, roundabouts and open grassy areas is the perfect place to have fun with friends.
Now a group of youngsters with disabilities have a level playing field – literally. Where previously they were unable to access and enjoy outdoor spaces, they are now having as much fun at playtime as any of their friends, thanks to a redesign of their tired outdoor play area.
The nursery pupils at Lancasterian School in West Didsbury are now able to swing through space and roll around on the wheelchair-friendly artificial grass at the first of the school’s three revamped playgrounds, which has just opened.
The transformation comes courtesy of the fundraising efforts of school staff, their parents, Friends of Lancasterian and generous local businesses such as Manchester blackcabs, Groundwork Trust, Hellerman Tyton and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Huge media Ltd. The space has been totally redesigned and now is more than double its original size.
Executive Head Dave Calvert said the impact of the work had been even greater than anticipated. “Our consultation with parents and carers before we started the work told us that for many families, being able to enjoy outdoor play, involving all members of the family, was limited. We decided we had to do something about that – and our three-year project to improve our outdoor play spaces aims to address that.
“For some of the children, simply being able to chase a friend around a tree is a whole new experience – and one they are really enjoying. This is just the beginning and the next stage is to raise enough funds to redevelop the play areas for our primary and secondary school-age pupils.”
Helen Nuttall, Nursery Teacher at Lancasterian believes that the improvements have had an emormous impact on pupils levels of independence and freedom. Now all of her pupils can access the outdoors safely and independently, including the wheelchair users. Melanie, aged 4, agrees. She is delighted with the new playground and says, “I love it. I can wheel myself!”
Jo West, whose son Ezra is a pupil at the school said: “The playground has a huge ‘thumbs up’ from all the family. It is a relaxing oasis in a busy world for us all.”
The school’s ultimate aim is to make the new facilities available to all families with disabled children living in the Manchester area.
The school will officially open the new playground at a special event on Saturday 4th October, between 10.30am and 12.00pm, to thank all those who have supported the work so far.
for those that helped on the day (2nd Aug)at the event and for making the event happen , you know who you are !
we thank you
If you have ever been to this school you will know what a difference our eforts have made...............
this will should appear this week in the papers
A level playing field
For most children, a playground with swings, roundabouts and open grassy areas is the perfect place to have fun with friends.
Now a group of youngsters with disabilities have a level playing field – literally. Where previously they were unable to access and enjoy outdoor spaces, they are now having as much fun at playtime as any of their friends, thanks to a redesign of their tired outdoor play area.
The nursery pupils at Lancasterian School in West Didsbury are now able to swing through space and roll around on the wheelchair-friendly artificial grass at the first of the school’s three revamped playgrounds, which has just opened.
The transformation comes courtesy of the fundraising efforts of school staff, their parents, Friends of Lancasterian and generous local businesses such as Manchester blackcabs, Groundwork Trust, Hellerman Tyton and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Huge media Ltd. The space has been totally redesigned and now is more than double its original size.
Executive Head Dave Calvert said the impact of the work had been even greater than anticipated. “Our consultation with parents and carers before we started the work told us that for many families, being able to enjoy outdoor play, involving all members of the family, was limited. We decided we had to do something about that – and our three-year project to improve our outdoor play spaces aims to address that.
“For some of the children, simply being able to chase a friend around a tree is a whole new experience – and one they are really enjoying. This is just the beginning and the next stage is to raise enough funds to redevelop the play areas for our primary and secondary school-age pupils.”
Helen Nuttall, Nursery Teacher at Lancasterian believes that the improvements have had an emormous impact on pupils levels of independence and freedom. Now all of her pupils can access the outdoors safely and independently, including the wheelchair users. Melanie, aged 4, agrees. She is delighted with the new playground and says, “I love it. I can wheel myself!”
Jo West, whose son Ezra is a pupil at the school said: “The playground has a huge ‘thumbs up’ from all the family. It is a relaxing oasis in a busy world for us all.”
The school’s ultimate aim is to make the new facilities available to all families with disabled children living in the Manchester area.
The school will officially open the new playground at a special event on Saturday 4th October, between 10.30am and 12.00pm, to thank all those who have supported the work so far.
for those that helped on the day (2nd Aug)at the event and for making the event happen , you know who you are !
we thank you