This week saw the launch of the Evening Advertiser's Christmas Appeal in partnership with the Swindon Rotary Club. ALEX EMERY visited one group that will benefit Brimble Hill Special School/

THESE children Sacha Bull, eight, Matthew Dent, eight, Dean Cornford, eight, Gavin Cornford, 10, and Karl Mansfield, five are set to benefit from your kindness and generosity as the contributions start to roll in.

Brimble Hill Special School is a hive of activity, possessing a magical charm which rivals the best Harry Potter spell.

The school in Park North is home to delights such as a sensory room, a ball pool, and the magical light room.

And, of course, the 73 pupils who, judging by the happy faces and resounding laughter, truly believe this is a very special school.

Head Bob Walker obviously thinks so too. He has been at the school since 1983.

He said: "Teaching our children and seeing them succeed is so infectious. It really captivates your interest and keeps you focused.

"Their needs are never the same so we are having to constantly rethink the strategies to be effective for our children. The reinventions and new challenges are what keep me fresh in the job.

"We have benefited from the toy appeal for a number of years. It gives children the opportunity to have a Christmas they might not normally receive. The parents and children are so grateful."

Alison Paul is another long-term employee. The senior teacher has been employed there for 15 years and seems to have as much fun as the children.

She said: "The children here have severe learning difficulties but we still undertake lessons.

"It might not seem as though they're having a science lesson or maths lesson if we're in the ball pool or light room say, but they are always learning.

"The soft play area is in use everyday and was kitted out by Allied Dunbar about six years ago. We do manage to buy some equipment ourselves but also rely heavily on outside donations and fundraising."

The mystical light room benefits the children in two main ways. The first is its relaxing atmosphere, which calms the pupils.

Secondly, the equipment can actually improve the eyesight of those with visual impairments.

The room consists of wall projectors, a bubble tube, fibre optic devices and luminous images on the ceiling. The bubble tube alone costs more than £1,000 but the staff believe it is well worth the expense.

Mrs Paul said: "The tube is fantastic. It incorporates colour changes, movement for the children to track as the bubbles move upwards and there is also a series of buttons, which they can push to alter the flow.

"They also love the fibre optics which is lengths of bright and colourful leads which they can drape around their bodies. This is also very expensive at £1,200."

The national curriculum is followed but adapted to suit the need of individual pupils. The school offers access to all subjects, the only difference being the form the lessons take the light room is essentially a science lesson.

Pauline Eggleton, who has been the office manager for 16 years, said of the appeal: "For the children who won't have a very affluent Christ-mas, the toys they receive are very appropriate and very much appreciated.

"There is always a lovely selection. Some of the older children can cope with matching games such as lotto. They love construction toys like Lego. Basically, anything for imaginative play."

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