Jack Tizard and BBC join forces
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
06/01/2009
Jack Tizard School in White City has teamed up with the BBC in an exciting initiative aimed at improving the social skills of its pupils.
The school caters for youngsters with a range of severe learning difficulties aged from two to 19 years-old. And when headteacher Cathy Welsh attended a special BBC outreach party last year, she spotted the potential for members of the corporation to help out at the school.
As a result, 14 volunteers from the BBC have been spending their lunchtimes at Jack Tizard, interacting with the pupils and taking part in games and activities that enable the children to learn new skills.
Cathy Welsh, said: "Staff from the BBC really have been able to transform the learning experiences of our pupils. I am eternally grateful to them for giving up their own free time. It has been lovely to see them playing, interacting and developing strong relationships with our pupils and I hope that this partnership goes from strength to strength over the coming years."
Pupils from the school will now also be able to travel in style after receiving a 17-seater minibus. The minibus was kindly donated by the Variety Club childrens charity, Russell Trew and Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
Cathy added, "I am eternally grateful to the Variety Club and QPR for this wonderful gift. We have never before had a minibus that would accommodate six wheelchairs and this will really make a massive difference to all of our pupils."
And in a further boost for the school, work is expected to start in early 2009 on Jack Tizard's very own hydrotherapy pool which will greatly enhanced the learning opportunities for pupils.
