Oakleigh School in Barnet is a special school for children with profound and multiple learning disorders. The aim of the school is to develop each child to reach its full academic and social potential and to function and communicate as effectively as possible within a positive, secure and varied environment. Oakleigh was built in the mid 1950s and, although a number of alterations and refurbishments have been undertaken, by the turn of the millennium the building could no longer meet the needs of the children. The level of disability within the school is such that over 80% of the children require wheelchairs or special mobilities aids. What these children desperately needed most of all was space.
The Philip Green Memorial Trust pledged £100,000 towards the building of two purpose-built classrooms, a new therapy unit, toileting and changing facilities and a covered play area. Our commitment helped them to secure a government grant and other funding towards this quarter of a million pound project which was completed in 2003. This partnership between the private and voluntary sector demonstrates an effective way forward in ensuring the success of projects like Oakleigh which otherwise may not have been possible.
The Trust went on to make a further donation to Oakleigh School for the construction of a ball court.
|
|
|
