Member Article

Plans to develop school outdoor area accelerates

A taxi firm has made a donation to a local Academy to help develop their plans for a new outdoor education area.

Portland Academy, which caters for pupils aged 11-19 years old who have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties, have received a donation of £1,000 from local taxi firm Station Taxis to go towards their new outdoor project.

The school, based in Chapelgarth Sunderland, is looking to transform their outdoor area to encourage and provide learning outside of the classroom for their pupils.

The initiative will provide a new setting to support the development of their pupils’ self-esteem and confidence using a natural environment.

It will also provide learners with the opportunity to experience new challenges, learn social skills and develop life skills.

Sharon Common, Head of Portland Academy, said: “At Portland Academy we are always looking at innovative ways to engage all of our pupils, and help them gain the skills they will need for the future.

“Our new outdoor area will support our pupils to develop resilience and become more independent and thrive in new environments. Thank you to Station Taxis for their generous donation”

The donation will be used to provide equipment and resources to create various environments and activities such as forest schools, gardens to grow their own food and outdoor activity space.

This follows the appointment of an Outdoor Education Instructor who is set to spearhead the project and will join the Academy later this month.

Trevor Hines, Managing Director of Station Taxis said: “It has come to our attention recently that Portland Academy were planning to create an outdoor educational area for their pupils, and we felt that this was a good opportunity to help them to achieve this.

“Our drivers have provided transport to and from Portland School for many years and we felt that this is a great initiative that we would like to support.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Station Taxis .