Two Oldham academies have been awarded funding from Oldham Council to support learning for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Last summer Oldham Council approved £310,341 of funding for SEND provision at Richmond Academy.
Sister school Greenhill Academy in Glodwick, which is the founding academy of The Harmony Trust, also received £329,684 from the council.
Richmond’s improvements began during February half-term: the school now offers a sensory wall, a sensory barefoot path, a trampoline, a water play area and a sensory swing.
Pupils are already making the most of the new facilities.
‘Richmond has made a big difference to her life’
Proud parents have been singing the praises of the schools.
Zubeda Khatun, whose four-year-old daughter Zarina is a pupil at Richmond Academy, said: “She has non-verbal autism and this setting has done her the world of good.
“It’s so beautiful to see.
“Richmond has made a big difference to her life.”
Greenhill Academy offers 20 new places in inclusion hub
Greenhill’s funding was spent on refurbishments including a sensory room and a sensory garden with zones for all five senses.
The academy’s existing inclusion hub for SEND pupil has been expanded.
The inclusion hub now offers an additional 20 places.
‘With this funding we are delivering what matters the most’
Cllr Mohon Ali, cabinet member for Education and Skills at Oldham Council, visited Richmond Academy and met the Harmony Trust team.
He said: “In Oldham we are fully committed to giving children with SEND the best possible start to life with their needs at the very centre of our decision-making.
“With this funding we are delivering what matters the most, and that’s giving children the very best facilities to enable them to thrive.”
Jessica Hainsworth, director of education at The Harmony Trust, added: “Inclusion hubs are just a small part of The Harmony Trust’s highly inclusive approach.
“We are committed to working with families to ensure they have access to the provision and support to meet the child’s needs.”
Feature image: Cllr Mohon Ali with pupils at Richmond Academy. Image provided by Oldham Council
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