The Dales School, which works with children who have special educational needs and disabilities across two sites in Blythedale and Ashdale, has officially opened with a ceremony on Tuesday the 11th of July.
The units were donated by train leasing company Porterbrook and their incredible transformation was completed by industrial service provider TEXO.
The project has also been supported by Network Rail, who donated railway track and a buffer for the trains to stand on at the school, creating a realistic railway setting for the pupils. The innovative project has also seen local organisation support differing areas such as providing materials, funding and labour.
A good deal of the students at the school have not had the experience of travelling on a real train and so the carriages also provide an excellent opportunity to teach the pupils all about train travel and, most importantly, railway safety.
The first of the two carriages to be marvellously repurposed was converted into a library and was featured on the TV show ‘George Clarke's Amazing Spaces' due to its amazing use of both space and design.
The second carriage has been transformed into an incredible STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) classroom and will feature, VR Technology and a fantastic cause-and-effect section which lets children role-play as train drivers with interactive features such as train wipers and lights. The cause-and-effect section will support children with sensory needs to experience the sights and sounds of a railway whilst inspiring pupils to consider careers in the railway as they grow up.
The STEAM carriage has been possible thanks to funding provided by:
- The Laurel trust
- Hargreaves Foundation
- The Platten Family trust
- The Masons
- Draeger
- The Harrison Foundation
Dr Sue Fisher, Dales School Headteacher, said: “Everyone at The Dales School is delighted that our train is finally ready to share with everyone. The train has carriages devoted to reading and the new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) carriage is now ready for passengers! We want to thank all the businesses, funders, staff and organisations that have helped us get here. We could not have done this without their fantastic generosity, hard work, and support. The children at The Dales School, and beyond, will benefit so much and we hope they will remain Friends of The Dales for many years to come.”
Kevin Eley, Head of Asset Protection and Infrastructure Development at Porterbrook, said: “It's been a pleasure supporting this project and seeing one of our retired trains get a new lease on life. We hope that this Pacer train has many more years of life as a tool to engage, educate and inspire young people.”
Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “I so enjoyed visiting The Dales School with all the imagination and creativity of having a real train in a playground. I was very pleased to be asked back. Well done to everyone involved – a great example of thinking “outside the box,” for the benefit of students.”
Harrison Foundation trustee, Daniel Harrison, said: “As soon as we heard about the train in the playground project at the Dales School, I saw the potential for a partnership with our Harrison Centres for Social Mobility initiative. We have six Harrison Centres now and they come in all shapes and sizes. It's a great idea and one that we're delighted to support, after all, which school children would not be excited to have a real train in their playground, where they can read and learn?”
“The Harrison Centres are all about creating new opportunities to learn and therefore helping people to unlock their own potential. I could see straight away that the team at the Dales share that vision.”
“I'd like to also thank local MP Ian Levy, who played a vital role in connecting us with the Dales school and paving the way for the support we're able to offer this amazing project.”
Dame Patricia Collarbone from the Laurel Trust said: “The Laurel Trust is delighted to be one of the partners supporting The Dales Train project alongside their local sponsors from business and the railways.”
“The Dales have created an exciting and imaginative project which will bring long-lasting benefits, not only to their children and their families but to the wider community in Blyth.”
“We have watched the project grow and develop. We have seen the growing confidence and progress of the children and the joy it has given them.”
“The Laurel Trust is privileged to be part of this wonderful partnership.”
