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Sensory garden funded for Coventry school in memory of member of staff

A Romero school has opened a new sensory garden to celebrate the life of a much-missed member of staff.

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, has launched the new garden in memory of learning mentor Carole Flynn, who passed away last year.

The garden has been made possible thanks to a £7,000 donation from Wooden Spoon Warwickshire, a rugby charity which funds projects that support children and young people with disabilities or living in disadvantaged areas, after it heard about the loss of Carole and her inspirational work supporting some of the school’s most vulnerable children.

The garden features different seasonal plants which stimulate the senses, a sensory path made from a range of materials, a variety of musical chimes and bedding plants which have been grown by the children in the school’s new polytunnel.

It also includes a seating area which can be used for outdoor learning or one-to-one sessions as well as a remembrance corner, not only to remember Carole, but to support any child or staff member experiencing loss.

Members of the charity visited the school to officially open the sensory garden and hear more about how it will be used.


Corpus Christi Principal, Kevin Shakespeare said the garden is a fitting tribute to Carole, who loved the sunshine and had a genuine passion for supporting those children who needed it the most.

He said: “The sensory garden will be used by the whole school, with a particular focus on our most vulnerable children or those going through a tough time.

“That is why we wanted to dedicate this space to Carole. She not only loved being outdoors in the sunshine wearing one of her many infamous pairs of sunglasses, but she was truly dedicated to supporting the children and the garden will benefit those children she would have worked with.”

“It will provide a real oasis for the children – a safe space that they can feel at ease or a place where they can reflect. It will also provide an area for outdoor lessons and give the children the opportunity to grow their own plants.”

“Creating the garden was a huge team effort as we wanted to make the fantastic funding from Wooden Spoon go as far as possible, so the school staff who were able to got involved in the true Corpus Christi spirit.”

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Wooden Spoon for helping us to create a lasting legacy for Carole. She was at the heart of both the school community and the Willenhall community and we know that the garden is a space she would have loved.”


Ian Holyroyd, Chairman of Wooden Spoon Warwickshire, added: “It was fantastic to visit the school and officially open the sensory garden and meet the children and staff.

“They have done an excellent job creating the garden, it’s a real credit to the school, and it was wonderful to hear more about how it will be a lasting legacy to Carole and the fantastic work she did.

“It is brilliant that we are able to support schools with projects like this that will make a real difference to the lives of young people, and we are always happy to discuss similar projects with schools across Coventry and Warwickshire.”

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