ProjectFeature
Visible
between Bishopswood and musical cobblestones, a water
Sonning Common to create a feature and a bamboo xylophone
sensory garden. About £20,000 were all designed to play to their
had already been raised by the sense of hearing. Soft surfacing
Results Seen
school and Spoon was asked to and an area of decking were
assist in raising the further included with a parasol to
£30,000 or so that was required. provide shade. The garden was
in Chilterns
“The Region already had some rounded off by the installation of
of the necessary funds,” recalls a large screen with built-in
Barrie. “But what we had was animal shapes and a background
magnificently swollen by monies mural. The garden was officially
ANDY COX REPORTS ON A
received from Ray and Lin Kays opened by England’s Mike Catt
SPECIAL SCHOOL IN CHILTERNS
of Abbey Rugby Club.” as a representative of London
Irish, the nearest Premiership
The Kays family has rugby at its Club to the school.
core. Ray turned out for Bristol The Head Teacher is delighted
and Oxford Old Boys in his with the result. “The sensory
playing days as well as Abbey garden has widened the
RC’s Vets. He is currently opportunities we can offer all
President of Berkshire County our pupils to explore an outdoor
RFU. Ray’s passion for the game environment which provides
passed to his son, Chris. natural materials and living
Tragically, while working abroad, things and a wide range of
Chris went on tour with a sensory experiences: visual,
Singapore Cricket Club (rugby) tactile, aroma and sound. The
team in Bali when a terrorist children have been able to
bomb ripped through the holiday develop their awareness and
destination. Chris, along with have shown positive responses to
seven of his team-mates, was the environment. It is also a safe
killed. place for them to explore
Abbey RC organised a festival independently which has
of rugby day to commemorate developed their personal skills in
Chris’s life. “There were two this area. We wouldn’t be
games,” Ray explains. “A club- without it!”
building on the primary site side played Reading School – Barrie is similarly enthusiastic
stands in the grounds of Sonning Chris had represented them both about the outcome. “Reading is
Common Primary School and is a – and then an International and by far the biggest town in the
modern facility that is tailor- Invitational side played a club- Region and a lot of our
made for the needs of its pupils. elite.” Alex King of Wasps and membership lives there. The
The proximity of the two schools England (and Honorary President project was a chance to do
allows excellent opportunities for of Spoon Sussex) and Paul Turner something for them and to show
inclusion between both sets of of Wales were among the just what Spoon is capable of
pupils not only in the classroom recognised names to turn out accomplishing.”
but also on the sports field. It is while Ed Morrison agreed to A plaque in the garden serves
Bishopswood School lies within an opportunity actively referee and Nigel Starmer-Smith as a memorial to Chris and the
the borders of the Chilterns encouraged by staff through the undertook commentary duties. support given by Abbey RFC.
Region. A Special Educational use of ‘buddy-pairing’. The guest side contained players “It is great to see that some
Needs (SEN) establishment, it is a Jenny Wager is the Head from Singapore, Antwerp, benefit has come out of the
multi-sited school catering for Teacher of Bishopswood: “We Thailand and Pembroke tragedy,” says Ray before adding
children with multiple and severe believe that appropriate and reflecting not only rugby’s global that he and his wife have been
learning difficulties that are relevant opportunities for appeal but also Chris’s invited to Singapore Cricket Club
based at three separate but inclusion in a mainstream peripatetic life and the friends he for the fifth anniversary of the
linked sites. environment are enormously made wherever he travelled. bombing on 12 October. A dawn
A nursery unit for 2-5 year olds beneficial not only to our pupils service will be held on the
is located at Valley Road. In but also the mainstream children The day raised £16,000. Of that ground in memory of those who
addition, there is a purpose-built who have an ideal opportunity to sum, £10,000 was passed to the lost their lives.
building for children of primary learn about children with Chilterns Region for use on the
school age, while the senior different needs. The most recent Bishopswood project. The And good continues to come out
classes, for 11-16 year olds, are Ofsted inspection, conducted in balance was divided between of the atrocity. Abbey RC has
located within Chiltern Edge June 2007, recognised the Thai Care for Kids and Future become a significant contributor
Secondary School. With the school as providing outstanding Hope in India, two causes close to Spoon in Chilterns and
children coming from a opportunities for inclusion.” to Chris. Bishopswood also reciprocates.
catchment area spanning South In late 2004, Barrie Mair, With the money for the sensory Only recently the school had a
Oxfordshire, Reading and Chairman of Chilterns met the garden in place, work on the ‘Dress Down’ day the proceeds
Maidenhead, the need for the Head Teacher with Philip project could begin. Plants with a of which were donated to
school and its services is readily Blunden, Spoon’s Project distinct feel were put in to Spoon. Rugby at its best, rugby
apparent. Coordinator. The school wanted stimulate the pupils’ sense of folk doing their best.
The Bishopswood School to develop a patch of scrubland touch. Similarly, wind-chimes,
Spoonews Autumn 2007 21
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