Schoolchildren enjoy Welcombe break this summer
Welcome Hills Special School is running three weeks of events at the start of the holidays for Key Stage 1-4 as part of the county council’s programme of Extended Services in the Stratford cluster of schools.
Funded largely by the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Aiming High Short Breaks programme, it offers the children the opportunities for a range of different activities whilst providing families with some respite from caring.
Welcome Hills’ arts co-ordinator, Jo Harris, is organising the project whilst staff will assist in the three weeks of playschemes based on themes such as animals and pirates. Two resident artists will work with secondary students on their projects with Back and 4th Community Transport supplementing school minibuses in transporting the total of 75 children who will be accessing the schemes.
In week one, key stage 1 children will enjoy trips to community venues such as farms and parks for half of the week’s four sessions with the other two being activity sessions, such as cooking or art, based in the school.
In the second week, key stage 2 children will have the opportunity to visit theme parks and zoos with the remainder of the week being dedicated to activity sessions based in the school. Key stage 3 students will have a similar itinerary.
Key stage 3/4 and key stage 4/5 will enjoy a project week, run by artists in residence and supported by school staff. The theme will be a musical in a week, culminating in a performance of ‘Welcombe to Wonderland’ on 29 July.
Jo Harris said: “Welcombe Hills School serves a wide catchment area and therefore it can be difficult for our children to get together with their friends over the holidays. This exciting programme of events enables the children to meet with their peers and to access community activities together. It ensures that there is something for everyone, from working towards a musical performance to trips to the zoo.
“The children are supported by staff who know them well ensuring that their individual needs are met and that parents can enjoy some well earned respite, safe in the knowledge that their children are being well looked after and are having fun.”
Cllr Heather Timms, portfolio holder for Children, Young People And Families at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Welcombe Hills Special School is providing an extended service of real value to the families of its students. They can have respite from the constant care that they give and everyone will benefit richly from that.”
Extended Services is offering a range of activities throughout the summer for all the family. For further details of out of hours activities go to http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/extended services .