Linwood School is a large special educational needs school that welcomes students from a wide geographical area, supporting a comprehensive range of special educational needs and disabilities. For them, every child and young person truly matters, and they understand that every moment of every day counts in improving life experiences and outcomes for their students.

The school is spread over four sites in Bournemouth, meaning transport is required for the children to access the school’s facilities, as well as to access local activities and educational visits. All children at the school have severe, multiple or complex learning difficulties and school trips are a fundamental part of their education.

Linwood School’s latest Sunshine Coach was sponsored by St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation. St James’s Place is a longstanding supporter of Variety, and this was their 48th coach presentation. Representing the Foundation on the day, was Paul Wright, who was delighted to hand over the keys. The Foundation is now looking forward to presenting the 50th coach later this year.

Commenting on the day, Paul Wright said:

Having spent some time with the Headteacher and Head of Governors at Linwood School, I can see what a huge responsibility it is to create as many opportunities for the pupils as possible. I am proud to have been involved in the handover and hope that the children go on to enjoy many more activities and days out with the help of the coach.

Gemma Talbot, Executive Headteacher of Linwood School, said:

We are so grateful for the incredible generosity of Variety, the Children’s Charity and St. James Place in providing another coach for Linwood School. This coach will provide our students trips, activities and experiences that would otherwise be impossible for them to access. This week alone the bus will be transporting students to Monkey World, the New Forest & Paulton’s Park as well as work experience opportunities and shopping trips locally. Our students enjoy and benefit hugely from learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Public transport is often not accessible, so our coaches are an essential resource to support our aspirational curriculum offer. Thank you so much from all the students and staff at Linwood School!

Timothy Hawkes, member of Variety’s Sunshine Coach Committee who attended, said:

The presentation of a Linwood School’s fifth Sunshine Coach sponsored by St. James’s Place took place at the School on Monday 1 July 2024.

This special needs, all-age, school is spread over four sites in a suburb of Bournemouth and transport to enable the children, all of whom have severe, multiple or complex learning difficulties, is a fundamental requirement to provide access to local activities and educational visits. The photograph clearly shows how delighted the children were at getting their new coach as the Chair of Governors received the keys from Paul.