Princes Primary School caters to pupils aged 4-11 years old with severe learning difficulties, with most children being non-verbal and many displaying challenging and complex behaviours. Students at Princes Primary School have disabilities including Autism, ADHD, hearing and visual impairments, and Down Syndrome.

George Downing was delighted to meet the children

With four sites across Liverpool, the school was in desperate need of a new minibus. They have previously received three Sunshine Coaches from Variety, the Children’s Charity, but with an ever-expanding school, there were not enough minibuses for all children to access educational visits and sessions in the hydrotherapy pool.

The children were delighted with their new coach

For many of the children, trips to places such as parks, adventure centres, and sporting competitions are the only times they get access to other environments and have new experiences.

Head teacher Colin Hughes with George Downing

The school aims to give all students the opportunity to access at least one educational visit a week and George Downing has made that dream one step closer to coming true with the generous donation of another Sunshine Coach for Princes Primary School. The Liverpool entrepreneur pledged to donate a coach at the inaugural North West PROPS in December last year.

George Downing was joined by Hannah Duffy, Marketing Manager at Downing

George Downing and Downing Group marketing manager Hannah Duffy joined Lyn Staunton, Development Director at Variety, headteacher Colin Hughes, teacher Hannah Oprey, and students of Princes Primary School for a special presentation where the excitement was evident. He also brought an Easter egg for every child in the school.

George Downing brought Easter eggs for every child in the school

A spokesperson from Princes Primary School said:

Our dream is for all children across all school sites to access at least one educational visit a week as well as all children being able to visit main site for specialist therapy sessions weekly. We continue to grow as a leading special school in Liverpool and our new minibus will facilitate our curriculum needs, environmental exposure and lifelong, memorable experiences for all our children.

George Downing, Chairman at Downing, said:

As an active member in the North West community, Downing is always looking for opportunities where it can create positive social value where it is most needed. We are delighted to have been able to contribute to a new Sunshine Coach for Princes Primary School – and can’t wait to see the benefit it will make to so many children!