Member Article

Top marks for school’s new play area

The good news keeps coming for a school that caters for primary age children with special educational needs from across Northumberland.

Just days after Ofsted inspectors declared it ‘outstanding’, The Dales School in Blyth has become the latest recipient of support from the Rio Tinto legacy fund.

A £20,000 donation has paid for new adventure playground equipment including a climbing wall, hexagonal play tower and a crocodile trim trail.

Joanne Hannay, Rio Tinto’s regional economic development assistant visited the school to unveil the new equipment, commenting: “The Dales School is such a worthy recipient of our legacy fund. The pupils are so keen to learn and develop their skills and the staff are incredibly dedicated in supporting each child reach their full potential.”

The Dales School currently provides specialist education and care for 70 children aged between four and 11 years. Most of the children live in South East Northumberland, but some travel from across the county to attend the school. Pupils have a range of special needs including emotional and social difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

Head Teacher Hugh Steele said: “We were all still celebrating after receiving the outstanding Ofsted report when we were contacted by Joanne to say Rio Tinto wanted to fund the adventure playground. I am really pleased that the children’s hard work, the staff’s commitment and the support we receive from carers and parents has all paid off and our school is being recognised in this way.

“The children will have great fun on their new equipment but facilities such as this are also vitally important for their physical development, social interaction and learning.

“On behalf of everyone at The Dales School I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Rio Tinto for this generous contribution, the benefits of which are going to be shared with so many children for years to come.”

Since the closure of the Lynemouth Smelter in March 2012, Rio Tinto’s legacy fund has donated more than £540,000 to good causes in South East Northumberland.

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