A local builder made an astonishing charitable commitment to build a double storey extension for £1,000 to help a special school in Upminster continue to support their pupils’ physical, social emotional and learning needs.
Jim Taylor, owner of MixIt Concrete Ltd, visited Corbets Tey School in 2016 and after hearing that their dilapidated soft play room may have to be demolished immediately made a decision to help. He commissioned and paid for a fundraising video to be filmed and pledged to support fundraising towards a replacement building. Jim also had more ambitious plans for the school and the project quickly developed into a double storey extension including a new soft play area, therapy rooms, new accessible toilet facilities and two classroom spaces.
Corbets Tey School caters for pupils with a wide range of complex and severe learning, physical and communication needs. Over 50% of pupils have Autism and the majority find it difficult to interact and communicate with others. There are also a growing number of pupils with physical difficulties inside the school.
It is very important that schools like Corbets Tey are given proper resources and funding. This is not just so that the school can better support their children’s needs but so that they can give the best learning experience and help them get a better start in life. Many learning disabilities do not simply disappear once one becomes an adult
Anyone wanting to follow in Jim’s footsteps and help a special needs school local to them can offer their services to schools or perhaps look up ways to organise school fundraisers. A little bit of money can go a long way into securing quality school equipment and resources.
