Member Article

Southampton special needs school opens brand-new sensory space built by volunteers

A special needs school in Bassett, which was in desperate need of redevelopment, has fully opened new learning facilities thanks to a £40,000 cash donation.

Vermont School, based just off Winchester Road, has received a brand-new outdoor play area and sensory room. As part of a special project in partnership with Barratt and David Wilson Homes, the new facilities – which are vital to support the pupils’ Education, Health and Care Plans – can now be enjoyed.

The leading housebuilder stepped in after the school was unable to provide important facilities for its pupils because of increasing numbers and an overstretched budget, and the results have been tremendous.

The two-week project saw volunteers from Barratt and David Wilson, along with Portsmouth Carpentry, JS landscapes, Gosport Dry Linings, Quayside Electricals, Borderland, Aero Park, HBS Group Southern and The Braeburn Building Company, updating three areas of the school that had fallen into disrepair.

After returning to school from their Easter break, Head Teacher, Maria Smyth, said the children, who experience social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, are already benefiting from their new learning spaces.

She said: “The school currently admits children aged from 5-11 who have a primary social, emotional, and mental health difficulty. Many pupils have Autism, ADHD, attachment difficulties and early developmental trauma.

“Over the last eight years the Vermont family has increased from 28 pupils to 50. The learning spaces and quiet areas were becoming increasingly limited, and, because of an overstretched budget over the last few years, we were unable to do any refurbishment. We were delighted when Barratt and David Wilson Homes offered to help us. The incredible spaces the team have created are already supporting our children’s development.

“The updated courtyard will allow pupils to work, play and eat in a safe and engaging environment, and the sectioned off area in the playground, will provide a fabulous quiet space for our younger children to work with water and sand.

“For our children with sensory difficulties, the housebuilder has transformed a storage room into a wonderful therapeutic environment. This will allow pupils to calm, self-regulate and refocus in a quiet setting, and will be a perfect space for them to follow individualised programmes, gain play therapy and counselling.

“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the Barratt and David Wilson teams for coming in over the Easter holidays to do this work. It will make such a difference to our wonderful children and will help them develop their social, emotional, and academic skills. They have already been telling me how much they love all the changes.”

Barratt and David Wilson Homes Finance Director, Glen O’Nion, was one of those that helped with the renovations. After visiting Vermont School earlier in the year, he felt spurred on to do something to help. “It was obvious the school needed financial backing to complete these projects, but it wasn’t enough to simply hand over the money and I couldn’t walk away,” he said.

“It’s been hard work, but to see the finished results, and the joy on the kids’ faces, has made it all worth it. We are so pleased to hear how much of a difference this will make.”

Vermont is a small special school in Southampton for children aged 5-11. Every child has an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Barratt / David Wilson Homes’ Southampton division is committed to supporting organisations in the communities where it’s building.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .