Sandelford Special School in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, provides education to SEND students aged 3 – 19 years old. The school offers multiple strategies and therapies to best support their student population, as well as a specially adapted curriculum and a dedicated Nurture Team, so that every child is looked after and supported. The addition of this specially adapted coach – which includes a tail lift for wheelchair users, will ensure that over 200 students and teachers can access off-site learning, engage with their community, and experience new opportunities that enhance their development.

Sandelford will use their Sunshine Coach to develop their students’ social and emotional skills with visits to the community, local parks, cafes and shops. Experiences outside the classroom is an important part of helping children and young people with their development.

The latest coach donation is the 54th St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation has made in 20+ years of supporting children’s charity, Variety.

Vice Principal, Mary McKendry, welcomed Foundation Representatives to the school, commenting:

“Staff and Pupils from Sandelford were delighted to welcome representatives of the St. James’ Place Charitable Foundation on Tuesday to officially present the new school Sunshine Coach.

“This was a major help to our school as we undertook our own fundraising campaign to raise the remaining amount. Thanks to the efforts and generosity of many people we were able to achieve our goal – a Sunshine Coach which is fully wheelchair accessible and already making a major difference to the pupils. Further staff are currently being trained to drive the Sunshine Coach and hopefully in the next school year the Coach will clock up many more miles!

“Barbara and Conor were taken on a tour of the school before having refreshments with the pupils who told them all about being out on the Sunshine Coach and places they had visited.

“We are indebted to the Foundation for their support and Variety, the Children’s Charity for making our dream a reality!”

Barbara Copeland added:

“It was a wonderful day; the school was a great experience – the teachers went out of their way for the children and the children absolutely loved the Sunshine Coach.

“It has allowed them to take trips out that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to make, especially for those that are wheelchair bound who previously had been unable to leave the premises due to the transport limitations. We all had a great day out.”

Learn more about the Sandelford Special School here.