Chadsgrove School is a special school situated in Catshill, north Bromsgrove which caters for pupils aged 2–19 years whose special educational needs arise from their physical disability or a complex health need.
The school recently applied for a grant from Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health Team to support with after school and holiday wellbeing clubs and play schemes. The school used the grant money to purchase art supplies, sensory toys, musical instruments and sports equipment for the children; and to invite visitors to come into the school for workshops such as drumming, pottery, science, dance.
The activities provide an opportunity for the pupils to develop their self-esteem, discover their likes and dislikes in a non-classroom environment and socialise with peers of all ages outside of their normal environment.
Rachel Burton, Senior Teaching Assistant at Chadsgrove School explained the positive impact the funding has had for the children. She said: “The grant has been wonderful in that it allowed us to purchase a wider range of activities and supplies for the children.
“We have noticed a really positive impact with the students loving the variety and choice and coming together from across the school to engage in activities where they are picking up new hobbies whilst developing new friendships and having the opportunity to become role models for the younger children.
“Overall, we are very pleased with the wellbeing project and the benefits it has brought to our pupils. Thank you to Worcestershire County Council for all your support.”
You can see the impact of the project in action in the video below:
The clubs and playschemes will continue to run all year. Resources purchased will continue to be accessed on a regular basis and new ideas and skills gained from workshops can be built upon making the impact of the one-off grant last for many more years to come.
To find out more about Public Health wellbeing grants for schools, please visit our webpage: Public Health Innovation Grant for Educational Settings | Worcestershire County Council
