TWO Derby special schools have received a much-needed donation of protective visors which have been made by staff at a city secondary school.
Ivy House, in Littleover, and St Giles School, in Hampshire Road, have been donated 20 visors for staff to use as they continue to care for children with special educational needs and disabilities during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Clive Lawrence, executive head at St Giles School – the city’s only special primary school – said: “We are extremely grateful to our friends at Lees Brook School, with whom we have a very close relationship.
Staff at Lees Brook School have made PPE for keyworkers at St Giles and Ivy House in Derby
“Usually, at this time of year, we’re gearing up to welcome Lees Brook pupils into St Giles to help with our annual sports day. This year, though, things are very different.”
Because of the needs of its pupils – some are tube fed or rely on an oxygen tank and some have life-limiting illnesses – St Giles has remained partially open during the coronavirus outbreak, offering an alternative provision for vulnerable children and families.
Mr Lawrence thanked the parents and carers and staff at St Giles who have pulled together during this difficult time.
He said: “It has really has been a team effort behind the scenes at St Giles, especially as we prepare for the opening of our new provision, The Hive.
“From the cleaning staff who have been flexible in their working arrangements, to our catering team, who have continued to provide hot meals for those children who have been coming into school.
READ MORE: St Giles School is top of the class when it comes to learning outside the classroom
“We have welcomed a new member of staff, too, Jacob, who has joined us as a teaching assistant. It has been a very strange introduction to teaching for Jacob, but he has settled in really well.”
Although most schools have been shut since March – St Giles have been partially open – it has been a busy time for the Ofsted-rated outstanding school, who have been invited to join up with other special schools around the country, as part of the National Network of Special Teaching Schools, to help lead the way for the Government-funded Oak National Academy.
St Giles are leading on the subject ‘language and communication’ for the Oak National Academy; a virtual home-learning platform set up in response to the coronavirus crisis. The Oak National Academy host 180 free lessons a week and can be viewed by schoolchildren from Reception age through to Year 10.
The school is also set to expand, with a new hub – The Hive – set to open later this month.
The Hive, which will be situated close to Derbyshire County Cricket Club, will be able to cater for more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, in response to the local authority’s need to provide more places for children with SEND.
ENDS
For further information please contact Kerry Ganly on 07734 723951 or email kerry@penguinpr.co.uk
