THE children laugh. It is a laugh of pure, unreserved joy. And the more they swing, the more they laugh. It is a simple pleasure and it means the world.

The children who go to Lexden Springs School in Colchester have severe learning difficulties. Some have autism, some physical problems, some behavioural. All need extra help.

These are the forgotten children. The ones we turn our eyes away from as they throw scream in shops. The ones who walk awkwardly with bent bodies, if they walk at all.

These children will never be presidents nor scientists nor captains of industry. But everything they do, even the smallest task is the greatest of achievements.

Sometimes it can take months, years even, for the youngsters to learn the most basic forms of communicating.

Sometimes they get frustrated. Often they don’t understand. But through play, they get a precious moment of independence, freedom, pleasure.

And in their world, where even the smallest of achievements is a struggle, that means everything.

However, there is problem. Tucked, almost invisibly, behind gates in Halstead Road, the school is landlocked and so its options for expansion are limited.

It has a playground but it has a concrete surface and only a handful of swings for the 120 children who are aged between three and 19.

There is also a school field but it is woefully inadequate. The field is 16m by 20m big - the same size as a reasonable back garden. And that is it.

Now parents from the school’s parents teacher association want to transform this sad piece of land into a play area which can be used by all the children at the school.

Acting head teacher Simon Wall said: “The importance of play is colossal.
“There is the physical aspect and the exercise but there is also the issue of independence.

“When they are playing, the children are in control of their own space and for those who struggle to have any control in their lives, that is massive.

“Some of the children can have behavioural problems but play is great for relieving stress and frustration. It gives them a great sense of well-being.

“A lot of the children here need physiotherapy and the exercise they would get would be really beneficial for that too.

“Balance can often be another issue. Again, play can help that enormously.”

Going to the park or to the play area may seem like the simplist thing in the world.

But it isn’t for the children at Lexden Springs School.

Mr Wall said: “We take trips to the play area at Marks Tey some times but the other parents see them coming and just scatter.

“I can understand it. Some of the children are fully grown adults but they have a learning age which is far lower than their physical age.

“The 19-year-olds enjoy going on a swing as much as the younger children.

“They still want to go on a slide or on a bike.”

There is the added complication in that about half of the students are wheelchair dependent. Some cannot use the play facilities. They just have to sit and watch.
 

To overcome all of these issues, the school wants its own play area. It wants to transform a small, forgotten patch of field into a multi-purpose play area which can be enjoyed by all the children.

It will not come cheaply. The specialist equipment is expensive and so the Lexden Springs Appeal Fund has been launched.

The 100,000 Smiles campaign, supported by the Gazette, aims to raise the £100,000 needed to meet the costs.

Charlotte Foxley, chairman of the Parents Teacher Association which is leading the campaign, said: “Play equipment is so important to the children for their development.

“It would also give them stimulation as well as having fun.
“But we are a small community at the school and we need the wider community to get on board and help us raise this money.”

 

The 100,000 Smiles campaign aims to raise £100,000 to pay for a new play area at the school. It would include swings and a roundabout which can be used by disabled children including those in wheelchairs.

For the more able children, there would be a rope climbing frame. A bubble tunnel and wobble board would assist the children with their agility and balance as would a wavy bridge.

A wavy mirror provides sensory stimulation for children and underneath, a spongy floor would ensure children are not hurt if they fall.

To contribute to the fundraising appeal, send a cheque to the Lexden Springs Appeal Fund at Lexden Springs School, Halstead Road, Colchester, CO3 9AB.

If you are fundraising for them, contact them via email at appealfund@lexdensprings.essex.sch.uk.

 

ALL the fun of the fair will be enjoyed by visitors to Lexden Springs School’s fete. The school in Halstead Road, Colchester, which educates children with severe learning difficulties, is holding its summer fete on Saturday June 22.

The event runs between 11am and 2pm and money raised will be put towards the 100,000 Smiles campaign for a new playground.