Wooden Spoon Sussex Open 21st Project
Wooden Spoon Sussex recently opened their 21st project on March 9th at Hillside School, Portslade, Brighton.
To celebrate the event they invited England Rugby great Rob Andrew MBE, who was pleased to attend and meet with the staff and pupils of the School and officially open the new play area. Rob, who has recently been appointed as CEO of Sussex Cricket Club, was joined by members of the Sussex Wooden Spoon committee, staff from Wooden Spoon HQ as well as representatives from Sussex RFU and local clubs.
Hillside School is a 78 pupil community special school which has pupils from 4-16 years. The pupils range from those with profound and multiple learning disabilities to severe or moderate learning disabilities. Some pupils have the additional diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition.
The revamped outdoor play area funded by Wooden Spoon Sussex region consists of a number of new pieces of equipment available for the enjoyment of all pupils. These include sensory pergolas, ramps, climbing areas and a slide. To aid the long term use, AstroTurf has replaced the old grassed areas.
Head Teacher Rachel Burstow thanked Wooden Spoon Sussex chairman Bob Rogers and members of the regional team for funding the project and attending the event to see the difference it made to the pupils.
During his tour of the School, Rob Andrew spoke of his admiration for the staff and how happy and engaged the pupils were. In his opening words for the play area he commented that he was pleased to be involved with the work of Wooden Spoon, positively transforming the lives of children and young people with a disability or facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland through the power of rugby, as seen with this latest project at Hillside School. He wished the school every success and also thanked the pupils of nearby school Longhill in Brighton, for their fundraising activities in aid of Wooden Spoon and how inspirational it was for them to see the results of their activity.
