New Variety Sunshine Coach set to boost learning of special needs pupils

New minibus set to enhance learning of local school children

A special school in Swansea is the proud owner of a brand new minibus, thanks to the generosity of St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation and Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Malcolm Cooper-Smith, a Trustee at St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, handed the keys of the minibus – Known as a Variety Sunshine Coach – to Clare Hobson, the acting headteacher at Ysgol Crug Glas, during a special ceremony at the school on March 22 2019.

The school caters for 57 pupils aged 3 to 19, all of whom have profound and multiple learning difficulties or severe and complex learning difficulties Many students have associated communication, behavioural and/or sensory difficulties, while a significant number have very specific health care requirements.

Ms Hobson said a ‘huge THANK YOU,” to St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation and Variety, for helping to make the school’s desire for a new coach a reality. “Now every child will be able to access a wider curriculum within the local community, which will have a profound effect on each child’s educational development and well-being,” she added.

The school will be whisking the children off on regular trips in the Variety Sunshine Coach, to enhance their life skills. Tesco, the theatre, local parks and the seaside are just a few of the places they will visit. They will also enjoy trips with pupils from other schools to share learning experiences.

Mr Cooper-Smith, remarked: “We are delighted to have helped purchase this Variety Sunshine Coach for Ysgol Crug Glas, and to help children such as those attending it.  I’m sure they will make great use of the Coach for many years to come”.

The school’s new specially adapted Variety Sunshine Coach will replace its 15-year-old minibus which has finally reached the end of its useful life.

Dave King, Head of Programmes at Variety, said: “We are extremely grateful to St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation for helping to fund Ysgol Crug Glas’s Variety Sunshine Coach. These coaches, often regarded as ‘mobile classrooms’, give pupils with additional needs the opportunity to experience active learning and develop life skills outside of the school environment.”

Ysgol Crug Glas made a contribution towards the cost of the Variety Sunshine Coach. Funds were raised with the help of parents, carers and friends of the school.

“We held school fetes and numerous raffles,” recalled Ms Hudson. “The children designed Christmas cards that were printed, with sponsorship from local industry and sold to parents and friends. We were also very lucky to receive a variety of donations from the local community and a number of bequests.”