A sensory garden that provides sensory and interactive learning and play opportunities for children and young people with special needs has opened in the London Borough of Sutton.
The Discovery Forest is in the grounds of Sherwood Park, a school in Wallington for pupils aged between three and 19 who have Severe Learning Needs (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), and are on the Autistic Spectrum (ASD) and Complex Needs.
Caption:
BBC sports commentator John Inverdale, who is Honorary President of Wooden Spoon Surrey, officially opened the Discovery Forest at Sherwood Park School in Wallington
The Discovery Forest is in the grounds of Sherwood Park, a school in Wallington for pupils aged between three and 19 who have Severe Learning Needs (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), and are on the Autistic Spectrum (ASD) and Complex Needs.
Caption:
BBC sports commentator John Inverdale, who is Honorary President of Wooden Spoon Surrey, officially opened the Discovery Forest at Sherwood Park School in Wallington
The Discovery Forest provides an exciting and educational experience for the children. It has wheelchair access and a number of creative areas for all the children and young people including a stage, a sensory path for those with a visual and hearing impairment, and a hobbit village playhouse for younger children. There are more challenging play areas for more-able children and a horticulture area for older pupils who may have opportunities to explore horticulture at college.
The Hobbit House is built into the centrepiece mound of the Forest at a cost of £15,000, donated by the charity Wooden Spoon Surrey.
The Discovery Forest was officially opened by BBC sports commentator John Inverdale, who is Honorary President of Wooden Spoon Surrey. He was assisted in the ribbon cutting by England Ladies Rugby international Leanne Riley, who also plays for Harlequins Ladies and Wooden Spoon Marauders.
Ann Nanasi, Headteacher of Sherwood Park School, said:
“We want to thank everyone involved in making our Discovery Forest sensory garden a reality. It will add so much to the lives of the children and young people by helping them to develop and improve many skills, particularly their mobility, communication and play skills.”
The Hobbit House is built into the centrepiece mound of the Forest at a cost of £15,000, donated by the charity Wooden Spoon Surrey.
The Discovery Forest was officially opened by BBC sports commentator John Inverdale, who is Honorary President of Wooden Spoon Surrey. He was assisted in the ribbon cutting by England Ladies Rugby international Leanne Riley, who also plays for Harlequins Ladies and Wooden Spoon Marauders.
Ann Nanasi, Headteacher of Sherwood Park School, said:
“We want to thank everyone involved in making our Discovery Forest sensory garden a reality. It will add so much to the lives of the children and young people by helping them to develop and improve many skills, particularly their mobility, communication and play skills.”