Wisbech school appeal to help create special outdoor space

A school is appealing for community help to create “the very best learning support and environment” possible for its special needs pupils.

Peckover Primary School in Wisbech took the daunting step of opening a SEND (specialist educational needs) provision to support some of its most vulnerable children in January last year.

The step has proved massively successful in changing the lives of eight ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) children dramatically by offering a calming environment where all their needs are met through bespoke learning and sensory resources, and strategies.

Now the school has launched a fundraising appeal to develop an outdoor space for the children.

Lucy Downham, who has set up a JustGiving page for the appeal, said: “The children have become happy, calm and successful within their school life. We are able to see independent and thriving children who would have been lost within their mainstream class make friendships and have the want to attend school every day.

“We are so lucky to be able to make these children’s school lives memorable and as anxious-free as any other child in school, but it has come at a cost.

“We are now in need of developing our outside courtyard area, creating sensory opportunities outside to allow the children to be happy and successful.

“We are hoping we can raise enough funds to be able to provide these children with a large sandpit, sensory mud kitchen, and a sensory outdoor den.

“With the demand for a specialist provision increasing, it is important that we can provide sensory opportunities outside as well as inside in order for children to be happy in their mainstream setting.

“We believe we owe it to our SEND children to provide the very best learning support and environment we possibly can but we just need your support in continuing their happy and successful learning journeys.”

The school is looking to raise £1,500 through the Justgiving page.