Miles of smiles for Kingfisher pupils
Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date published: 14 June 2010
IN the deep end . . . Thohura Begum (6) and personal care assistant Samantha Bacon in the ball pool. Pictures by ANTHONY MILLER
KINGFISHER school has gone the extra mile for its pupils.
It has unveiled its new MILE (multi-sensory interactive learning environment) room after five years of saving up.
Kingfisher in Foxdenton Lane, Chadderton, is the borough’s only primary school for pupils with the most severe and complex special needs and disabilities.
The MILE room includes a hoist to lower pupils into a ball pool, padded equipment and imaginative lighting and sound.
Head teacher Anne Redmond said: “This is a fantastic resource which will enable the children to fully participate in their learning, making choices and having some elements of influence in a world where they usually have very little control.
“This learning environment can be programmed for individuals and groups of children, in both an exciting and calming way, through specialist lighting and sound systems which enhance the creative curriculum on offer at Kingfisher.
“We are extremely grateful to the Kingfisher Association and all of the people that have kindly donated to this wonderful resource, and thank them for all their hard work.
“As Kingfisher continues to develop, we hope to create many more specialist areas as we strive to provide the children with the very best environments in which to learn.”
PUPILS at Kingfisher are a step closer to benefiting from a £2.5million overhaul of their school.
Plans have been submitted for the refurbishment of the school with the aim of making it the best of its type in the country.
As reported previously in the Chronicle, the school will be reorganised into four hubs to group together children with similar needs.
A new single-storey entrance and administration block will also include a parents room and conference facilities.
Kingfisher was graded as outstanding in its most recent Ofsted report.
However, there has been an increase in pupils with the most profound disabilities.
