Teachers at Sladewood Academy in Stroud, a special education school, are rallying to raise funds for a much-needed playground that caters to the additional sensory and physical needs of their students. The school, which opened in 2023, has already seen considerable investment in refurbishing the premises; however, an additional £80,000 is required to construct a playground complete with a ramp to better accommodate the children’s diverse needs.
Parents and teachers are determined to secure the necessary funds, having already raised £37,000 toward the ramp. To further this effort, the school’s staff are organizing a 23-mile walk on June 14 to raise awareness and funds.
Assistant headteacher, Molly MacCauley, emphasized the pivotal role of the new playground, stating, “We need a new playground at our school to better support our children’s sensory and physical needs, providing them with a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment to learn and grow.”
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MacCauley also outlined the specific equipment needed, including sensory-friendly apparatus, accessible surfaces, and tailored physical play structures, to aid in improving motor skills, encouraging social interaction, reducing anxiety, and supporting emotional regulation.
The dedicated team aims to install a water play area, a sand play area, an accessible spinning roundabout, a trim trail, a pergola, and an accessible swing. Additionally, rubber surfacing will be added to ensure the safety of all students.
Donations toward the Sladewood Academy playground fundraiser are welcomed and can be made through their website.