Schoolteachers from a Doncaster school will be climbing three of England’s highest mountains later this month to raise money for a trip to France.
Twenty pupils, aged 14-19 years-old, from Coppice School will spend four days to develop their independence in a different country, and for the majority of them, this will be the first time they have gone abroad.
Sixth form teacher, Chris Medwell, said: “Our curriculum is very experiential. Doing something like this is a very holistic organic way of delivering sessions. We’re not just sat in a classroom; we’re actually living the experience. We do that in our local community so just imagine doing this on a ferry to France.”
Mr Medwell said special educational needs schools are largely funded by the government and although opportunities like this are possible, the budget can sometimes be tight.
The logistics of organising a trip abroad include the provision of adequate transport facilities, sufficient support for each pupil, and a range of pre-planned activities.
Mr Medwell said: “It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but we know that if we don’t put the hard work in, we’re not going to be able to offer an opportunity like this four our young people, which they absolutely deserve.
“We will be trying snails, which the students are excited about, but what I look forward to the most is for them to watch the sunset on a beach in France.”
Last year was the first time Coppice pupils travelled abroad. The school took six of its students to Belgium, where they took part in Special Olympics.
One of their students, Dave, even won six medals.
Mr Medwell said he was happy with the success of the trip. He said: “Going away we were expecting issues, but we didn’t have any. We label our young people, but we’re blown away by what they can do given the opportunities.”
The school has, so far, managed raise £1,126 for the trip which is due to take place in May.
