Volunteers descend on Southampton SEN school to build new outdoor play area and sensory room

Funds are stretched at Vermont School in Southampton, which teaches children with special educational needs.

The number of pupils has almost doubled over the last eight years from 28 to 50, putting strain on the school’s learning spaces and quiet areas – but much-needed refurbishments were out of reach.

Credit: Barratt and David Wilson Homes

That was until Barratt and David Wilson Homes stepped in with a £40,000 cash donation and a call for locals to come along and help revitalise the facilities.

Over the course of the two-week project, the team from Barratt and David Wilson was joined by volunteers from Portsmouth Carpentry, JS Landscapes, Gosport Dry Linings, Quayside Electrical, Borderland Fencing, Aeropark Developments, HBS Group Southern and The Braeburn Building Company.

Now, the Southampton school has a brand-new outdoor play area and sensory room, which will be vital to supporting the pupils’ Education, Health and Care Plans.

Credit: Barratt and David Wilson Homes

Head Teacher Maria Smyth was delighted with the work as Vermont reopened for the Summer Term.

She said: “The school currently admits children aged from 5-11 who have a primary social, emotional, and mental health difficulty. Many pupils have Autism, ADHD, attachment difficulties and early developmental trauma.

“The updated courtyard will allow pupils to work, play and eat in a safe and engaging environment, and the sectioned off area in the playground, will provide a fabulous quiet space for our younger children to work with water and sand.

Credit: Barratt and David Wilson Homes

“For our children with sensory difficulties, the housebuilder has transformed a storage room into a wonderful therapeutic environment.

“This will allow pupils to calm, self-regulate and refocus in a quiet setting, and will be a perfect space for them to follow individualised programmes, gain play therapy and counselling.

“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the Barratt and David Wilson teams for coming in over the Easter holidays to do this work.

“It will make such a difference to our wonderful children and will help them develop their social, emotional, and academic skills. They have already been telling me how much they love all the changes.”

Credit: Barratt and David Wilson Homes

The project was conceived after Glen O’Nion, Finance Director at Barratt and David Wilson, visited Vermont School earlier this year. He joined the other volunteers in the renovation efforts.

Glen added: “It was obvious the school needed financial backing to complete these projects, but it wasn’t enough to simply hand over the money and I couldn’t walk away.

“It’s been hard work, but to see the finished results, and the joy on the kids’ faces, has made it all worth it. We are so pleased to hear how much of a difference this will make.”