Parents salute the school team helping children to thrive thanks to their life-changing SEND provision
Parents are praising Richmond Academy in Oldham for its life-changing SEND provision, which has significantly improved the lives of children with special educational needs and disabilities. The school received £310,341 in council funding to enhance its facilities, including sensory provisions. Sister school Greenhill Academy also received £329,684 for similar upgrades. Both schools are part of The Harmony Trust, which focuses on inclusive education.
Oldham Council Invests £640,000 in Special Needs Education at Richmond and Greenhill Academies
Three-year-old Mahee couldn’t speak and would bang his head and spit. Today, he tells his parents when he wants something and greets them with happiness and cheer. His transformation happened at Richmond Academy in Oldham, where children with special educational needs and disabilities thrive in a nurturing, communication-friendly environment.
The council approved £310,341 last summer to enhance Richmond Academy’s provision for pupils with additional needs in a mainstream setting. Construction began during February half-term, adding a sensory wall, barefoot path, trampoline, water play area, and sensory swing to the school’s facilities.
“He wasn’t talking and he used to bang his head and spit. Now he can tell us when he wants something and he’s happy and cheerful. We have seen a lot of improvement,” said Moinul Hussain about his son Mahee.
Zubeda Khatun witnessed similar progress in her four-year-old daughter Zarina, who has non-verbal autism. “This setting has done her the world of good. She enjoys reading time and I had never seen her play with sand before. At the end of the day she doesn’t want to leave. It was a mother’s instinct that led to her being diagnosed because she had some delays and now she’s thriving. It’s so beautiful to see. Richmond has made a big difference to her life.”
Sister school Greenhill Academy in Glodwick received £329,684 for indoor and outdoor refurbishment, including a sensory room and garden with zones for all five senses. The academy, founding member of The Harmony Trust, will expand its inclusion hub to offer 20 additional places for pupils with complex needs.
Cllr Mohon Ali, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, visited Richmond Academy and met with Katy Mather, Senior Trust Leader for SEND, and Charlotte Smythe, Trust Leader for Early Years Foundation Stage and Early Additional Needs.
“The support for the children begins from the point of application. Having inclusion hubs means the children are well supported and integrated in a mainstream setting,” explained Mather.
“We work hard to build relationships with parents. We are building a community together while giving the children life skills,” added Smythe.
Jessica Hainsworth, Director of Education at The Harmony Trust, emphasized: “Inclusion hubs are just a small part of The Harmony Trust’s highly inclusive approach. We are committed to working with families to ensure they have access to the provision and support to meet the child’s needs.”
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