Rise in school trip numbers (From Free Press Series)

Rise in school trip numbers

12:50pm Monday 5th May 2008

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A MONMOUTH school which also houses a unit that caters for disabled children has seen pupils enjoying a number of trips in comfort since the arrival of their new minibus.

Staff and pupils from Overmonnow Primary School's Special Needs Unit travelled in comfort to Hereford this week to take part in horse riding sessions, an activity that has physical, emotional and educational benefits.

Some seven members of staff at the school accompanied fifteen pupils at the Home Lacey College of horse riding in Hereford.

Lisa Davies, a classroom assistant, said that sessions with the horses have a huge effect on the pupils: "When pupils are in the saddle, the movement of the horse is therapeutic and it improves posture, concentration and listening skills. The children get a connection with the outdoors and, most of all, they thoroughly enjoy it.

"One mother told me that the horse riding had drastically improved her child's confidence and provided a real sense of achievement."

She added: "Before we got our minibus we were reliant on other organisations to lend us their buses and they were brilliant."

Overmonnow was the first primary school in Monmouthshire to be awarded with a Variety Club bus and half of the £30,000 cost was met by Monmouth Rotary Club. The mini bus is fully-equipped to ensure people with disabilities are able to travel with minimum inconvenience.

Headteacher Huw Williams said that although Monmouthshire County Council fund the unit as well as the rest of the mainstream school facilities and staff, anyone can make a donation to cover the costs of taxing and insuring the vehicle by calling the school on 01600 713458.

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