A DERBY head teacher says he has been overwhelmed by support from parents and carers who have offered help following vandalism at a city special school.
Clive Lawrence, executive head teacher at St Giles School, says he has been inundated with offers of help after substantial damage to the outdoor area – the Forest School – of The Hive; the school’s extra provision for children in Derby with special educational needs, which opened its doors last year.
Vandals broke down fences, trampled on woodland and the children’s bonfire canopy has been cut down and stolen.
Mr Lawrence said: “At a time when children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities really need to be outdoors to support their wellbeing, this thoughtless act has denied our pupils this opportunity.
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“However, I am so proud and extremely grateful to all of our parents and carers and the wider community who have been helpful and proactive. Within minutes of me posting news of the damage suffered on our school Facebook page, we were inundated with random acts of kindness; this included donations of equipment and volunteering to help with repairs.
“A Go Fund Me page set up by parents has raised almost £600 in less than 12 hours and that amount is rising.”
The school plan to use the money raised from the appeal to buy new equipment for their outdoor space before the Easter holidays.
Executive head teacher of St Giles School in Derby, Clive Lawrence
“Our Forest School teachers Jakk Capewell and Anna Young will circulate a date fairly soon – once the new equipment has arrived – for our school community to come together to repair the damage and set up new equipment.
“Pupils will be able to enjoy the Forest School once again, within no time. One thing for sure is that the St Giles community will not allow a small minority to ruin things for our children.”
If you would like to donate to St Giles School’s appeal, visit Fundraiser by Toni Howitt : Help to buy a new bonfire canopy (gofundme.com)
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