Foundation’s support for children with special educational needs and disabilities making ‘huge difference’

Staff at a Haringey school have explained how Tottenham Hotspur Foundation sees ability in disability - making 'a huge difference, not just in their school lives, but their everyday lives ' when it delivers sessions for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Foundation has been delivering opportunities for children with SEND in schools across Haringey, Enfield and surrounding boroughs for many years.

Last week, the Foundation ran a class for children at the primary department of Vale School, introducing them to a new series of follow-along films based on skills like agility, balance and coordination - starring our mascot Chirpy - before moving outside for sports activities.

Lisa Rustean, Vale School senior admin officer, said: “There’s not enough about for children with disabilities to access PE and sports skills. The way the Foundation adapts things for our children, it makes such a huge difference, not just in their school lives, but their everyday lives.

“Movement’s so important. A lot of our children suffer with very stiff muscles, so while they have physios working with them in allocated slots, we need to keep them moving as much as possible. We see children starting with us in wheelchairs and just by moving, and keeping moving every day, they’re now walking, whether it be assisted or unassisted.”

Nadine Thwaites, special needs assistant, explained how the Foundation supports this.

She said: “When John from the Foundation comes in, he has a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Mobile children will react with excitement and not so mobile children will hear his voice and move a hand or their eyes. It’s amazing - the Foundation doesn’t see disabilities, it sees abilities.”

The videos Vale pupils followed along have been released as part of the Super Movers for Every Body campaign, launched by BBC Children’s and Education, the Premier League and ParalympicsGB to get everybody moving ahead of the Paris Paralympics.

Chirpy can be seen joining in with activities from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, alongside CBBC stars, ParalympicsGB athletes and other Premier League mascots.

The Foundation’s education manager, Andrew Wands, said: “We had a really fun morning introducing pupils at Vale School to some of the Super Movers for Every Body videos and getting them involved in sporting activities.

“Diversity is our strength and inclusivity is our guiding principle at the Foundation. We ensure everyone, regardless of background, has a place to belong.”

You can spot Chirpy in the videos available from www.bbc.co.uk/supermovers.