· Head teacher praises volunteers for sterling efforts
· Make-over will mean so much to everyone
The Dorothy Goodman School in Hinckley has been given a brand new look – thanks to employees from National Grid.
A team of 12 volunteers swung into action to give the Lower and Upper Schools a lick of bright coloured paints.
With perfect weather conditions the team, armed with paint brushes, tackled steps, sheds, a playground area, benches, the huge main hall and other indoor areas.
James Norman, the National Grid organiser, said: “Our team really got stuck in and worked hard. It’s so rewarding to see what we’ve achieved in only two days. We‘ve given the pupils a much more colourful environment to return to in September.”
‘We all have a huge sense of satisfaction knowing that we’ve made a really positive difference for pupils and staff at the School.”
The Dorothy Goodman School caters for pupils aged between three and 19 years old with a wide range of learning disabilities.
It currently has 245 pupils who attend one of five bases at the school.
Janet Thompson, Head Teacher at the Dorothy Goodman School, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the National Grid team for all their hard work and sterling efforts. They’ve done an excellent job and have transformed areas that were in need of attention.”
‘Having the outdoor and indoor spaces looking so colourful and tidy will mean so much to everyone who uses them. I can’t wait to see the look on pupils’ faces when they return to school in September to see the difference.”
The painting project, linking National Grid and the Dorothy Goodman School, was organised by Leicestershire Cares.
Leicestershire Cares brings local business and communities together for the mutual benefit of employee volunteering.
Leicestershire-based companies who are interested in participating in future Team Challenges should contact Leicestershire Cares on 0116 275 6469.
National Grid already has a strong link with the Dorothy Goodman School. The company plays a leading role in EmployAbility – a scheme to help young people with learning needs and disabilities to find work.
National Grid is one of a few private UK companies with a defined programme to help students with learning disabilities to find employment.
It identifies a role that an intern can fill before they spend three months on the job while fully supported by a job coach and mentor.
Three teenagers from the Dorothy Goodman School have taken part in the scheme and one has been offered a full-time job starting at National Grid Hinckley in September.