A Special Trip For Bellfield Jnr School Children
Donation protected
On Sunday 16 February, I heard a BBC radio programme about a primary school in Birmingham called Bellfield Junior School and it broke my heart.
60% of this school's pupils are classed as disadvantaged and over 25% have special educational needs or disabilities. More than 33% of the school's children are on the vulnerable register.
The report noted "These days, teaching is only a part of a primary school’s function and every day brings fresh demands. Desperate parents begging for help to buy food or to pay the electricity bill, children coming to class hungry or dirty, with no coat, or with bruises”.
Despite many challenges, the teachers try very hard to make the children's school environment joyful and the school motto is "Yes I Can". One of the ways in which the school brings some joy to the children is by organising an annual all-school trip to the theatre. For many of the children, it's their only day out or special event of the year.
Unfortunately, the programme went on to explain that "The children don't know it yet, but [2019] is the last time they'll go to the theatre. With classroom windows that won't shut, scores of children with special educational needs requiring help from teaching assistants the school can't afford to employ, plus a crippling pastoral care burden, Head Teacher Nigel Attwood has decided to pull the final curtain. He makes the announcement with a dry throat. 'It’s heartbreaking' he says 'almost wicked, to take away this magical experience from the children'".
After hearing the programme, I wanted to do something to help, so I contacted the school and, after speaking with the lovely Mr Attwood, I've decided to try and fundraise the £6500 the school needs in order to reinstate the children's annual trip. I would really like these children to have their special day out, regardless of what's going on at home, or their financial circumstances.
Mr Attwood has also explained how the school turns the trip into a fantastic learning event lasting for weeks. He says that the trip "allows students to compare and contrast a live performance to a movie and/or book version – such as the BFG, 101 Dalmatians, Peter Pan or Treasure Island. A 2-3 week project of English work ensues, and the visits add inspiration to the children – which is evident in their work. Further, when asked during pupil conversations, the children always say that their favourite visit/ thing to look forward to is the theatre visit. For children to experience visits, such as the theatre, and to do so as a whole school, is invaluable in expanding horizons, showing what is possible, and to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers. We feel that the benefits of such experiences are priceless".
I have a big birthday coming up in April 2020 and I've asked all my friends and family to donate in place of sending me cards and presents. As generous as my friends and family are, me sacrificing birthday presents isn't going to get us to £6.5K! So I've also set up this public page and am hoping to cajole £6500 out of anyone and everyone over the next six months. I expect this is going to involve a lot of baking, in addition to outright begging.
Here's a link to the BBC radio programme I heard - Link To BBC 'From Our Home' 16 February 2020
And here's a link to an article with further information about the challenges faced by Bellfield Junior School - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-50843474
Please donate anything you can.
Thank you SO much in advance.
Andrea
60% of this school's pupils are classed as disadvantaged and over 25% have special educational needs or disabilities. More than 33% of the school's children are on the vulnerable register.
The report noted "These days, teaching is only a part of a primary school’s function and every day brings fresh demands. Desperate parents begging for help to buy food or to pay the electricity bill, children coming to class hungry or dirty, with no coat, or with bruises”.
Despite many challenges, the teachers try very hard to make the children's school environment joyful and the school motto is "Yes I Can". One of the ways in which the school brings some joy to the children is by organising an annual all-school trip to the theatre. For many of the children, it's their only day out or special event of the year.
Unfortunately, the programme went on to explain that "The children don't know it yet, but [2019] is the last time they'll go to the theatre. With classroom windows that won't shut, scores of children with special educational needs requiring help from teaching assistants the school can't afford to employ, plus a crippling pastoral care burden, Head Teacher Nigel Attwood has decided to pull the final curtain. He makes the announcement with a dry throat. 'It’s heartbreaking' he says 'almost wicked, to take away this magical experience from the children'".
After hearing the programme, I wanted to do something to help, so I contacted the school and, after speaking with the lovely Mr Attwood, I've decided to try and fundraise the £6500 the school needs in order to reinstate the children's annual trip. I would really like these children to have their special day out, regardless of what's going on at home, or their financial circumstances.
Mr Attwood has also explained how the school turns the trip into a fantastic learning event lasting for weeks. He says that the trip "allows students to compare and contrast a live performance to a movie and/or book version – such as the BFG, 101 Dalmatians, Peter Pan or Treasure Island. A 2-3 week project of English work ensues, and the visits add inspiration to the children – which is evident in their work. Further, when asked during pupil conversations, the children always say that their favourite visit/ thing to look forward to is the theatre visit. For children to experience visits, such as the theatre, and to do so as a whole school, is invaluable in expanding horizons, showing what is possible, and to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers. We feel that the benefits of such experiences are priceless".
I have a big birthday coming up in April 2020 and I've asked all my friends and family to donate in place of sending me cards and presents. As generous as my friends and family are, me sacrificing birthday presents isn't going to get us to £6.5K! So I've also set up this public page and am hoping to cajole £6500 out of anyone and everyone over the next six months. I expect this is going to involve a lot of baking, in addition to outright begging.
Here's a link to the BBC radio programme I heard - Link To BBC 'From Our Home' 16 February 2020
And here's a link to an article with further information about the challenges faced by Bellfield Junior School - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-50843474
Please donate anything you can.
Thank you SO much in advance.
Andrea
Organizer
Andrea James
Organizer
