For the third year, Fairfield Farm College hosted the Wiltshire Santa/Elf Dash, aimed at students of all ages with additional needs in both mainstream and special education.
The event has been created and developed with the underlying principle that all young people deserve high quality opportunities to challenge themselves physically and emotionally in a fun, safe and appropriate environment.
18 different primary, secondary, special schools and colleges attended this year’s event, with 294 students and 126 supporting adults. There were also 22 Sports Leaders from Fairfield Farm College and Lavington School helping with the event. There were a range of inclusive activities ensuring that there was something for everyone.
Pupils could choose from two Lapland Challenge courses. One course was designed for Santas and Elves who wanted a high energy, busy experience in a big open field;the other was set out for pupils who find movement challenging or just wanted to experience ‘snow stations’ in a more controlled, gentle way.
Pupils also visited the sensory Winter Wonderland area, where they explored Christmas through sensory stories, including touching festive items, tasting Christmas treats and singing and signing Christmas songs.
There was also a bouncy castle, trampettes, hoopla hoops, ‘reindeer’ ponies and a craft area, plus Christmas biscuits baked by the Fairfield Farm College students. Every participant left with a bespoke event medal and a big ‘snowy’ smile!
The team at Fairfield Farm College would like to thank:
- Wiltshire Highways for providing 30 big traffic cones.
- Caroline ‘The Dance Lady’ Newman for her music and trampettes.
- Active Trowbridge for the inflatable castle.
- Susie Nowell-Kelly for her communication expertise.
Finally, a big thank you went out to all the schools and colleges, some of whom travelled a long way, for supporting the event and helping to ensure that everyone left feeling proud of themselves for trying something different, in a different environment, with different people.