Opening Schools Facilities: How the funding has helped a school increase its SEND provision

The Opening School Facilities (OSF) funding has had a significant impact on Treetops Free School and the Thurrock community. Through OSF, Treetops have been able to increase their community provision, now being able to provide community sessions 7 days a week. The funding has also enabled the school to increase their SEND provision through new accessible Netball, Multisport and CrossFit activities. As a result of OSF funding in the school, they have witnessed 70 new students engage in extracurricular sessions.

The funding has been tailored to those with SEND and additional needs, with the opportunities allowing students, ex-learners, and community members a safe and familiar environment to take part in physical activity.

Opening School Facilities funding has also enabled the school to open for longer in the evenings and at the weekend, enabling other opportunities to become available, allowing work experience for those within post-nineteen provision within the café to gain valuable socialisation and life-skills.

Going forward, the aim is to open their space more in the holidays and at weekends. Speaking to parents helped Tree Tops understand that there isn’t much respite provisions during the school holidays at a low cost. By speaking to current activity providers, Tree Tops hope to find out ‘What’s next?’. Due to the current lack of SEND fitness sessions, Treetops hopes to be the home of specialist fitness sessions within Thurrock in the near future.

Read more on this case study at Active Essex.

Case study provided courtesy of Active Essex.