AVA welcomes local MP, Sarah Jones

Local MP, Sarah Jones visited Addington Valley Academy to see students and staff in their new school building and there was plenty to get involved with.

Students, Brendan and Shaun were ready to welcome our visitor and presented her with a hand painted card before she joined Mabel, the therapy dog and her owner Lisa assisting students with their reading.

Next stop was music therapy, in the form of a sing and drum along session and then on to see our older students enjoying an Attention Autism class entitled ‘Rain on me’ which was both engaging and immersive.

   

Principal, John Reilly then introduced Sarah to some of our current parents and a discussion on the importance of advocating for children with SEND followed. Sarah summed up the visit saying “This has been the best part of my week. What a joyous, loving and nurturing school with the most wonderful kids achieving brilliant things. We just need more places and more provision, as so many kids with autism don’t get this support.”