Council grants support tailored summer activities for SEN pupils
Children who attend Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools across the Antrim and Newtownabbey borough took part in a series of inclusive summer schemes after the council provided grants to support activity programmes. The funding, awarded as payments of £5,000 to each participating school, aimed to ensure children were able to access sensory play, arts and crafts, sport and other tailored activities in a welcoming environment.
The projects involved a number of local SEN schools, including Riverside, Jordanstown, Rostulla, Hill Croft and Thornfield, and were complemented by council-run family events at several venues across the area. Activity days were staged at Antrim Forum, Crumlin Leisure Centre, Fairview Primary School and Mossley Pavilion, delivered in partnership with the Mae Murray Foundation. For the first time the council also provided Stay and Play sessions in partnership with Sensory Kids at The Junction.
- Five SEN schools each received a £5,000 grant from the council.
- Inclusive public events were held at multiple community venues across the borough.
- New Stay and Play sessions were introduced in partnership with Sensory Kids.
The scheme mixed structured and unstructured activities designed around the needs and interests of the children, organisers said, giving pupils opportunities to develop skills, explore creativity and socialise with classmates in supportive surroundings. At Crumlin Leisure Centre’s Inclusive Family Fun Day, performers and characters — including Spider-Man and The Little Mermaid — took part in activities and the Mayor joined in sensory play and entertainment.
“It was excellent to see first-hand the positive impact that the Council’s funding has had to the children and young people across our borough. I would like to thank all the schools, staff, families and organisations involved in making these summer programmes such a success.”
The comment above was made by Councillor Henry Cushinan, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, following visits to several of the inclusive summer schemes and events.
A parent whose child attended an event in Crumlin described the experience as especially valuable, highlighting both interaction with costumed characters and a visit from an alpaca provided by Blackberry Farm as memorable moments.
“My child absolutely loved every minute of the fun day in Crumlin. Meeting his favourite Spider-Man and seeing the alpaca with Blackberry Farm were his highlights! Events like this are so special and give children the chance to just be themselves and simply have fun in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a fantastic day!”
Local partners and venues involved
The council worked alongside local charities and organisations to broaden the reach of the summer programme, including the Mae Murray Foundation and Sensory Kids, while venues across the borough hosted activity days to provide accessible options beyond the school-based schemes.
| School / Venue | Role |
|---|---|
| Riverside | Received £5,000 grant to run a summer scheme |
| Jordanstown | Received £5,000 grant to run a summer scheme |
| Rostulla | Received £5,000 grant to run a summer scheme |
| Hill Croft | Received £5,000 grant; hosted inclusive activities |
| Thornfield | Received £5,000 grant to run a summer scheme |
| Antrim Forum / Crumlin Leisure Centre / Fairview Primary / Mossley Pavilion | Hosted council-run inclusive family events |
Council representatives said the summer activity programme was intended to be both inclusive and locally accessible, ensuring families in different parts of the borough could attend. The combination of direct school funding and community events aimed to provide options for pupils with different needs during the school holidays.
Officials thanked school staff, community partners and families for their involvement in delivering the schemes and said they would review the impact of the programme as they plan future inclusive provision.
