The Dales is a specialist primary school with two sites: Blythdale in Blyth and Ashdale in Ashington. We provide for children with a variety of additional needs which may not otherwise be met in a mainstream setting. We cultivate a safe and caring environment where children can thrive and have the opportunity to meet their full potential. Our staff team of highly skilled practitioners work with children in small groups with a high ratio of adults to children and use bespoke interventions and strategies to ensure that learning is both accessible and meaningful. We would be creating a outdoor play area to allow children to get outside and benefit from area to help with their emotional, sensory and physical needs.

What we'll deliver:

• Community benefits
• Family support
• Plant trees in outdoor spaces
• Provide a vegetable patch to help enable children to grow their own veg.

Why it's a great idea:

This project will bring a lot of use to all children on site. We will will also be looking at inviting families and community groups into the play ground. Community playgrounds provide children the opportunity to practice and hone key skills including social, emotional, cognitive and physical. Children are constantly learning through play—making new friends, sharing, taking turns and interacting with other children. Parks promote physical activity, a key factor in fighting childhood obesity. Time in nature is a powerful mood-booster and mental-health tonic. Numerous studies show how valuable green spaces are for reducing stress and increasing happiness. Even just 10 minutes spent reading or contemplating in a park enhances your sense of wellness, lowers the stress hormone cortisol and strengthens your immune system.

Steps to get it done: