Thanks to the kind support of The Barbour Foundation, students at Cockfield Primary School are now equipped with a new Sunshine Coach.

Based in rural County Durham, the school’s students will be able to travel safely with their friends to a variety of new activities, including sports, leisure activities and residential trips.

The 17-seater Sunshine Coach has already made a significant difference for the school, with students embarking on many exciting visits around the local community, including to sports competitions.

Cockfield Primary School supports over 100 pupils with autism and special educational needs. Pupils have a wide range of needs from physical conditions such as cerebral palsy, brittle bone disease and epilepsy to autism, developmental needs and mental health requirements.

The Sunshine Coach will play an important role in helping the school to enrich its curriculum, providing opportunities to improve pupils’ motivation and attendance through new and exciting experiences.

Nicky Wright, Headteacher at Cockfield Primary School, added:

Cockfield Primary School will use their Sunshine Coach to increase out-of-classroom opportunities for their children to develop their learning and ensure that every child has the chance to get involved with their community, enjoy new experiences and grow.”

The Sunshine Coach was delivered to the students with Danny Humphrey, representative of The Barbour Foundation committee, on a sunny day at the school’s playground.

The children shared photos and stories of the trips they’ve enjoyed with the Sunshine Coach and presented Danny with a mini Sunshine Coach they made in class!

Danny Humphrey from The Barbour Foundation, added:

“The kids and staff did an amazing job of explaining how important the Sunshine Coach has been for them and were so welcoming and lovely. It was certainly one of the most wholesome visits I have done, and it was so clear how much they have been able to do through Variety’s support.”