A CALM space for children with special educational needs has been created at an Ellesmere Port School thanks to funding from Redrow.

Hinderton School is a primary school for children with autism spectrum conditions in Whitby, Ellesmere Port.

The school was among 20 local projects who shared £15,000 from voluntary community funds previously offered by the homebuilder.

School business manager Liz Clutton said: “Children with autism can struggle with maintaining emotion regulation. We have a trained emotional literacy support assistant to help children in school understand and regulate their own emotions, while also respecting the feelings of those around them.

"Alongside this we wanted to create a calm, comfortable environment within school for the children to be able to go to; we identified a room we could use, but it was in need of renovations.

"We applied to Redrow’s Ledsham community fund and received a donation that’s enabled us to carry out the work so that the space is now fit for purpose.”

Accredited by the National Autistic Society, the school has been rated 'outstanding' five times by Ofsted.

Redrow contributed £1,500 towards the project including plastering, painting, new flooring and furniture.

The school previously received help from Redrow towards playground improvements.

Elaine Mounsey, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (NW), said: “Hinderton School has done a fantastic job in creating a calm space for the children. Walking in woodland is said to have a calming effect and be good for your mental health, so the woodland mural was a creative touch.”

Last month, Redrow launched a fresh community fund for the Ledsham area, offering to share a further £10,000 with good causes.

To request an application form, email redrowfund@activepr.co.uk stating ‘Ledsham Community Fund’ in the subject line. The deadline for completed applications is February 22.

Ledsham Garden Village will eventually comprise up to 2,000 new homes and 100 acres of open space. Redrow has committed to invest more than £13 million in the local area to support the growth of the neighbourhood.

This funding has been allocated towards a new primary school, off-site school provision, new and improved bus routes, better playing fields / play facilities, and improvements to local shops and health facilities.

For more information about the homes, see www.redrow.co.uk/ledsham or call 0151 515 6417.