A Wythenshawe primary school is appealing for construction firms to help build an outdoor classroom and sensory space to support the social, emotional and mental health needs of the wider school community.
Haveley Hey Community School in Wythenshawe has one of the highest numbers of Looked After Children (LAC) in a Manchester primary school. The new facility, which has been designed by architecture and engineering consultancy Atkins, free of charge, is aimed at providing greater support to this group, as well as the significant number of pupils with Special Educational Need and Disabilities (SEND).
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Now, the school is appealing for skilled trades to come forward and donate time or resources to bring the plan off the page and into reality. The project requires both a contractor to make progress on the ground works and a joinery firm to build the outdoor classroom.
The project is expected to cost more than £40,000 and while the school is busy trying to raise funds, it also requires practical help to see the project take shape in order to hit their summer deadline.
Mrs Sue Spiteri, Executive Headteacher at the school, labelled the project "a really important development" for children at the school. She said: "The children will experience huge benefits from a facility like this to support their learning, particularly so following the pandemic.
"We do have a significant number of LAC and SEND pupils at our school, and our aim is always to provide an individualized and holistic approach to learning in order to best meet need. The plan for the outdoor classroom and sensory garden will directly benefit them and the wider school community.
"If we are to make this a reality, we really need the help from the community we serve. The total cost stands at £42,000 and we have had to delay the project start date.
"As a result, we are appealing directly for help from professional trades required to bring this vital project to life for our children."
The site has been designed around the five senses, with five break-out tables so the children can take part in different activities in smaller groups, as well as a large outdoor shelter for the class to come together. There is also a fire pit.
The site is designed to support the emotional and mental health of both the children and their families by providing a safe space to explore nature, develop resilience and manage risk appropriately. The children have been involved in the design process, and are committed to ensuring that it is environmentally friendly, having chosen a sedum green roof to provide an important microclimate for insects, bird life and other species.
It is an important aspect of the build which will enrich the urban community environment with the introduction of nature. Other environmental elements of the design include bee and bug hotels, owl habitats, a water recycling feature and careful selection of natural materials.
The hope is that all these features will increase the wildlife in the school’s urban area and allow children and parents from the local community to experience the positive impact of nature first-hand.
Helen Groves, National Education Lead at Atkins, said: "This is a really important facility for Haveley Hey Community School and will provide real benefits to the children using it on a daily basis, which will, in turn, benefit the wider community. However, the reality is the school needs to raise funds to cover the cost of the development, which is why we are making this appeal to the skilled trades in the area to donate some time or resources to help the school realize its ambition of creating this important facility.
"We’ve been involved in the design of the garden and classroom because we feel it is a real opportunity to provide positive social value in a school and community that would benefit greatly from it. We hope other businesses will feel the same and find a way to support this crucial community project."
In addition to the educational benefits of the development, the design has also focused on maximizing sustainability and biodiversity. There will also be opportunities to work with other organizations, such as City of Trees, who will liaise with the school to plant some more trees around this new space, further enhancing the positive environmental impact.
To speak to Haveley Hey Community School about supporting this project, contact Miss Leanne Straker on 01614989508 or alternatively at l.straker@haveleyhey.manchester.sch.uk.
