Gatting unveils new school all-weather playground
Pupils from Waverley School, Enfield, are celebrating this week after their 25-year-old, beyond repair playground has been refurbished into an all-weather, specially tailored recreational space, complete with Triple Tower Frame, Mushroom Seats and other pieces of engaging sensory equipment.
English cricketing legend, Mike Gatting (OBE), was on hand to assist this presentation and observe the impact that this facility will have. This playground was made possible thanks to a grant from the Lord’s Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity as well as fundraising from the 100 Property Club.
Waverley School caters for pupils aged 3-19 with severe and profound learning difficulties which include but, are not limited to, ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance and hearing impairments. A number of these children have multiple disabilities.
The play area benefits the pupils both physically and cognitively. It provides them an opportunity to exercise, mobilise and lead active playtimes which develop both fine and gross motor skills as well as advance their coordination, spatial awareness, balance play skills and agility.
On top of this, the pupils’ cognitive development is furthered due to the problem solving, memory testing and emotional development which the play area brings. The refurbished playground has allowed these pupils who otherwise, due to their need to access specialist playground equipment, may not have had such an opportunity to participate in physical exercise, sensory regulation and emotional development outside in all weather conditions.
Paul Robin, CEO of the Lord’s Taverners, added: “The Lord’s Taverners is dedicated to giving young people a sporting chance so we are delighted to present this new outdoor play equipment to Waverley School. This new equipment will benefit the teachers, carers and families of Waverley School’s students and enhance the learning experience and future development of its pupils.”