A school which caters for children with special needs has opened a new £50,000 playground that will allow able bodied and disabled children to play together.
The Parent Teacher Association at Mile End School has been fundraising for the new play park for the last 18 months.
And yesterday the group’s dreams came true as the primary pupils were unleashed on their brand new equipment for the first time.
The school, which offers mainstream education to 440 pupils and specialist support for 70 children with additional needs, has never had a play park before, and the new addition will allow the two sets of youngsters to mix even more than before.
Head teacher Nancy Davidson said: “We have many children with quite complex additional support needs, and that’s why we’re delighted that we now have a roundabout that you can go on if you can walk, or if you’re in your wheelchair.
“There’s lots of stuff you can interact with or play on no matter your needs, for instance we have fixed musical instruments that can be great for children with autism.
“Where possible we try to include the children in anything that we are doing, so when the children are out here on break or at lunchtime there are no barriers – and that goes for what class you’re in or if you can walk or not.
“I think it helps our children as they go through life to be tolerant of everybody, and to understand that everybody’s view is important.”
Chairwoman of the PTA Fiona Daniel said: “When you start a massive project you think you’re never going to see the end of it, and to see all the kids rushing towards it like Christmas was a great feeling.”