Woodlands School Charitable Trust (Charities number 1156371) has been established to advance the education of the pupils at Woodlands School by providing and assisting the provision of facilities (not required to be provided by the Local Authority) for education at the school. 

This may include :-

• Access to therapies and programmes which will help our pupils be ready to learn
• Financial support for pupils to attend educational trips
• Covering the online processing charges for trips and dinner money so that costs do not have to be passed onto parents
• Improving facilities and access to ICT through replacing existing out-of-date equipment and utilising new technologies to provide innovative ways for our pupils to access the curriculum
• Supporting initiatives within the Whole School Development Plan.

Money is mainly raised through bid applications; mass participation events and school sponsored events.

The Charitable Trust will

• accept donations from individual donors, as long as the donations do not come with conditions or expectations we are not happy to uphold
• utilise the charitable status of the School's Charitable Trust to apply for grants and obtain places at mass participation events where individuals may obtain sponsorship
• work with the Friends of Woodlands to agree appropriate fundraising activities
• not accept funding from organisations or businesses that go against our school's core values

If you would like to take part in an activity for our charity then please contact our School Business Manager, Mrs Chris Richards, on 01372 377922 or email finance@woodlands.surrey.sch.uk. Alternatively please go to Enthuse using the following link https://woodlandsschoolcharitabletrust.enthuse.com/cf/upper-school-activity-areas

Amazon Smile donations: These continue to raise much needed money for the school without costing the Amazon user any money. For each purchase made Amazon donate a very small percentage to your registered charity. If you have not already registered your chosen charity as Woodlands school charitable Trust then please consider doing so by going into settings and selecting Amazon Smile.

Current Fundraising Project

Upper School Trim Trail and Activity Area

Following the success of Upper School outdoor classroom and accessible swing project we are looking to move to Phase 2 of our re-development of the Upper School to include a trim trail and activity areas. This will provide more useable space and support pupils to develop new physical skills and healthy exercise routines. It will allow pupils to develop new friendship groups, develop exercise habits which they can continue beyond school and enable them to become more engaged in learning.

If you would like to donate or get involved please contact Chris Richards on finance@woodlands.surrey.sch.uk or click on the following link  https://woodlandsschoolcharitabletrust.enthuse.com/cf/upper-school-activity-areas

Lower School Canopies and Play Area Resurfacing:

Anticipated Cost £62,000 / Amount Raised so Far £62,000

Funds have now been raised for this project and the works have been commissioned to take place at Easter 2023. 

The new canopies and soft pour play area for Hedgehogs and Badgers' outside play area will involve replacing the hard tarmac flooring with a soft pour surface in order to prevent injuries following falls and scrapes and allow non walkers to more comfortably move around. The areas will include large canopies, which will reduce the temperature and therefore the risk of heat induced seizures. In addition, the areas would be accessible all year round.

Many thanks to the Blow family for their generous donation; to Unum and to all participants in the Ride London event who have helped us to be able to undertake this project.

Recently Completed Fundraising Projects

US Outdoor Classroom & Accessible Swing Area (May 2022- £66,000

Generous donations from St Faith's, Bailey Thomas, UNUM, Mercers, Friends of Woodlands and participants in the London marathon, superhero challenge & Ride London events made the construction of our new outdoor classroom, accessible swing area and sensory garden possible. These new areas have made a fantastic addition to our playground and have already:-

• provided more opportunities for work experience for those pupils unable to go off site
• provided pupils with experiencing the responsibilities associated with caring for the plants and the area
• allowed whole class groups to immerse in story reading experiences through the use of specific equipment
• supported pupils who were anxious returning from COVID to mix with their friends again in a way that makes them feel safe
• allowed all students to access the swings, which were previously only available to non-wheelchair users

Audio Visual Equipment for Upper School Hall (October 2021 - £11,000)

Children with Special Needs with help from Jelly Bean generously donated £11,000 to enable us to install a new AV system in our hall. This new system includes sensory changing colours, surround sound speakers and microphones which the pupils, including those with eye gaze and alternative communication methods are able to use. This equipment enables all classes to participate in sensory sessions in the Hall in addition to providing opportunities for pupils to undertake backstage roles in the school plays. This new equipment has already enhanced school assemblies by providing a brighter and clearer screen and improved audio quality which improves pupil engagement and access.

Therapy Dogs (2021 ongoing)

UNUM and Friends of Woodlands have contributed to the costs of training the 2 school therapy dogs, Woody & Headley. Since their introduction to the school community they have had a hugely positive impact within the school. Woody & Headley help pupils with difficult transitions around the school, they encourage pupils to communicate, they have a calming influence on the pupils and help them to understand how to safely interact with dogs they might meet outside of school.

Music Therapy (2017 ongoing)

We have been able to continue to provide music therapy to identified pupils over the last 5 years through generous donations from UNUM, Friends of Woodlands, Children with Special Needs and Jessie's fund as this therapy is not funder by the Local Authority. Music is an incredibly powerful and effective means of communication especially for our pupils and music therapy is essential because it enables the children to play, to communicate, to be musical, to be creative and importantly it is a therapeutic space where they can safely explore difficult feelings.

We have also been involved with an innovative intergenerational music therapy programme with the Care Home adjacent to us prior to lockdown which was reaping huge benefits both for our pupils and the residents there.