Two children rock climbing at school trip with Quest Specialist SchoolDonations

Quest Specialist School

April 23, 2013By

Minibus mobility for Autistic students

Quest Specialist School takes pupils age age 5-19 years across the autistic spectrum. The school helps students to develop appropriate behaviour, communication and functional life skills, which will assist them to lead independent lives in the future.

£20,000 from the Axis donation has covered the cost of a brand new minibus for the school so that they can take students on school trips. Out-of-school visits allow pupils to practice practical skills in the real world, such as using shops, cafes and libraries as independently as possible. In addition, the minibus transports students to sporting activities such as physiotherapy classes, swimming and trampolining.

“The work being done by the Quest School is truly inspirational and is providing disadvantaged young people with genuine life changing opportunities. We hope that by donating this minibus the Axis Foundation will help the students at the school to further develop through expanded community activities” – Axis Foundation Chairman Peter Varney

The severity of Autism suffered by children at the Quest School means they require one on one care by qualified staff. Many have been excluded from attending mainstream special schools so would otherwise have very little exposure to activities where they can interact with other children. Now that they have a more reliable minibus, the specialist school can take students to more exciting and far-flung destinations!

“Before Axis Foundation so kindly helped us, we were struggling with an old, unreliable and costly minibus. The donation of a brand new bus has enabled us to undertake journeys with much more confidence, and we are now able to travel longer distances than previously. Recently, our pupils have experienced trips to London museums, the South coast to the Sea Life centre and trips that we would never have dared to attempt in the old bus. The pupils absolutely love the space, comfort and the opportunities that the bus has bought them. Thank you to everyone at Axis Foundation for making this possible” – Ashley Carter-Mepsted, Development Manager

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Children with austism and learning disabilities at Tae Kwando club at Woodside SchoolDonations

Woodside School

February 1, 2013By

Help for children with autism and learning difficulties

Woodside School in Bexley supports 215 children with Autism and learning difficulties. A donation of £2,700 from the Axis Foundation has enabled the school to launch two new extra-curricular clubs; an art club and a Tae Kwando club. Both after-school activities will provide an outlet for children to express their energy and creativity and encourage them to build new friendships with their peers.

The school approached the Axis Foundation after their Government funding was cancelled, removing their ability to provide engaging extracurricular activities.

“In addition to the challenges our pupils face with their disabilities, most come from families deemed as financially disadvantaged, which adds additional barriers to them accessing activities outside of school.” Audrey Chamberlain Head Teacher, Woodside School

Both clubs have enjoyed excellent attendance and feedback from the school is that the classes have been well received by the children, and the students who attend regularly have shown improvement in behaviour.

“Both the Art and Tae Kwando after school clubs have now started and the children are enthusiastic and very keen to take part. We used the donation given by the Axis Foundation to buy IT equipment for the art club and safety equipment for the Tae Kwando club which has helped massively.The children are very much enjoying the two new clubs and we couldn’t have done this without the help of The Axis Foundation. Thank you from everyone at Woodside School.” Audrey Chamberlain

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Volunteers help to build sensory garden for Corbets Tey SchoolDonations

Corbets Tey School

November 12, 2009By

Sensory garden for children with complex learning needs

Corbets Tey School is a school for children and young people aged 4 to 19 with Complex Learning Needs. There are 155 students at Corbets Tey, all with special educational needs including communication and interaction difficulties, sensory and physical needs and autism.

Children here will benefit from a sensory garden funded by Swan Housing and The Axis Foundation. The materials for the project were joint-funded by a donation of £5,000 from the Axis Foundation and Swan Housing Group. The sensory garden has several beds and paths, all providing different sensory experiences. As the pupils move through the garden, they will experience a range of sights, sounds, smells and feelings.

“This a wonderful project and we are indebted to everyone who took part. The sensory garden will offer a significant improvement to the school’s facilities. The children will benefit from having a wonderful new environment to develop in a multitude of ways. Our children will love using the garden to work and collectively experience sensory enrichment” – Mr Colin Arthey, Corbets Tey School Headteacher

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