DM Thomas Foundation for Young People has awarded a grant of £9,780 to create an inclusive music technology space at Oak Grove College in Worthing, West Sussex.
DM Thomas Foundation for Young People is committed to transforming the lives of sick, disabled and disadvantaged young people in communities across the UK. By providing specialist equipment and facilities, important training and support, and vital care, the Foundation works to improve the education, health and wellbeing for young people to achieve their full potential.
Richard Hopton and Philippa Redwood from Hilton Avisford Park present the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People’s grant to staff and pupils at Oak Grove College.Oak Grove College is a special educational needs school in West Sussex for pupils aged 11-19 with learning and physical disabilities.
The Foundation grant will fund specialist music technology and equipment to make music accessible and engaging for all. Pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties will be able to participate in music making with each other and discover a powerful means of communication and self-expression. Pupils will be able to develop transferable skills such as computer and numeracy skills – improving their learning and development. As pupils achieve new goals and take part in music performance their self-esteem and confidence will also increase.
Supporters of the Foundation from Hilton Avisford Park, Richard Hopton, General Manager, and Philippa Redwood, PA to the General Manager and Foundation Champion, visited the local college on Monday 21st January to present the grant.
Richard Hopton said:
“We were honoured to meet teachers and students at Oak Grove College in Worthing where we were able to see the enormous contribution college staff make to improving the learning and life opportunities of young people at the college. We were delighted to present the Foundation’s grant of £9,780 to Headteacher, Phillip Potter, who showed us how the money would be used to purchase sensory music equipment to allow all the children to participate together and create music in the same class with complete inclusivity. It is projects like this and the significant work that specialist schools like Oak Grove College do that motivate the team at Hilton Avisford Park to continue raising funds for the Foundation to improve the lives of young people in our community.”
Phillip Potter, Headteacher from Oak Grove College said:
“This state-of-the-art equipment will help us to continue to develop and provide the very best inclusive music education where all pupils can participate and succeed. We are very grateful to DM Thomas Foundation for Young People for their generous grant”.