| Former New Zealand and Wigan Rugby League star Dean Bell opened the new Wooden Spoon Therapy Suite at Willow Grove School, Ashton in Makerfield on Thursday 30 March. Wooden Spoon is delighted to be the main partner in this project, contributing £60,000 towards the total cost of £130,000 to build and equip the Therapy Suite. The funding for this much needed facility was achieved by a very determined School Bursar, Debbie Sutch, who left no stone unturned in her quest to raise the funds. The addition of a new sensory and therapy rooms are a major step forward in enhancing the opportunity for these children to access mainstream education.
Willow Grove is a Primary School which caters for up to 60 children experiencing various degrees of emotional and behavioural difficulties (EDB). Young children are referred to Willow Grove because they have severe difficulties which result in them being excluded from mainstream schools, they have often failed because their confidence and self-esteem are very poor. The time spent at Willow Grove by these children depends on their response to how well they can transfer the new skills they have learnt.
The children are taught by a dedicated staff led by Head Teacher Valda Pearson and the school has close links with the Educational Psychology Service, Child and Family service, Speech and Occupational Therapies and the LEA Special Needs Department. Willow Grove School base their philosophy on respect and treating every child as an individual.
'Children only get one chance and it is up to us to help them make the best of it.' The opening was also attended by representatives from TNT, the LEA, Wooden Spoon guests and Willow Grove School Governors, the local press and media.
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