Corby school keeps its doors open during summer holidays for children with special educational needs

Children at Beanfield Primary's Special Provision have been given the chance to go into school for half of the summer holidays to give them a chance to take part in fun activities and to give their families some time to themselves.

The school runs a well-regarded SEN unit for 55 children aged from four to 11. Its pupils have severe and profound learning difficulties including autism.

Staff pledged to help their families by providing two sessions per day for the children for the first three weeks of the summer holidays. It's believed Beanfield is the only local school to offer formal summer holiday provision for its pupils.

Charlie Smith, Beanfield's director of special provision and primary outreach said: "Covid has greatly impacted the most vulnerable pupils and their families in particular those with SEND.

"We wanted to somehow help in this situation and made the decision to offer a respite provision for three weeks over the summer holidays.

"This was so families could have a few hours to themselves but also more importantly so that our SEND and most vulnerable pupils gets some time accessing school and to become aware of changes and transitions for September.

"For families who were anxious with sending their children in we have been paying door-step visits to our families and children, checking in they are all ok , seeing if there was any way we could offer support and in some cases delivering requested books and work.

"I have had a number of staff give their holiday time following such a tiring academic year in creating a calm, fun and safe environment for our pupils."

The Brooke Weston Trust supported Beanfield by providing PPE and taking part in daily progress calls.

The children have taken part in a wide range of activities including outdoor water play, making spider webs to link to phonics sessions, cycling, kite-flying and dinosaur hunting.