Firwood School is a local authority school for children with profound physical and learning difficulties from across Bolton borough. Children with profound physical disabilities are unable to move themselves into different positions, and so must be moved frequently to avoid pressure sores and to aid breathing and digestion. These children are more comfortable when lying flat rather than being upright in chairs, and so in a classroom setting they are often on the floor on cushions, and so at completely different heights to classmates who may be better able to use chairs. This can lead to students feeling isolated and missing out on part of the lesson.

We have been asked to provide an Acheeva Learning Station to help the most severely disabled children take an active part in lessons alongside their peers. The Acheeva Learning Station is a specialist item which provides positioning with full support to the child. The Acheeva is compact and easily moveable within the classroom, so the child can be easily included in class activities. The height and angle can be adjusted to allow children to make eye contact and to communicate. Being at a raised height ensures that they can easily see what is being shown to other pupils, and they are on a level with staff and their classmates who are in wheelchairs.

We would also like to provide a walking frame to allow students to experience upright mobility and move around the school environment. The frame will adjust to suit a variety of sizes and different abilities.

The Learning Station will cost £3,045.00 and the walking frame will cost £1,102.36. At present 12 students at the school will benefit from these two items on a daily basis, and this number will grow every year.