Isabella, a Year 7 student with Cerebral Palsy, which affects her physical abilities and speech, required Highcliffe School to undergo some necessary changes to accommodate her ongoing needs.

The Talbot Village Trust’s funding contributed to the installation of electronic doors, in addition to adapting a toilet and providing Isabella with a dedicated space to carry out physiotherapy. These necessary adaptations have enabled Isabella to independently access all areas of Highcliffe School and have encouraged her to be autonomous in many aspects of her senior school education.

Lisa Warburton, Learning Support Manager at Highcliffe School, said: “The donation from Talbot Village Trust has given Isabella more independence to move around the school, allowing her to feel and be more included with her peers. All of the adaptations we were able to make have made Isabella’s first year at Highcliffe School a fabulous experience and we are very grateful to Talbot Village Trust for making this happen for her.”

Highcliffe School was also able to alter a number of walkways throughout the building, ensuring they were suitable for Isabella’s powered wheelchair. This will also ensure that other students with additional needs will continue to benefit from these changes for years to come.

Sir Christopher Lees, of Talbot Village Trust, said: “Supporting projects like this and being able to give children like Isabella the smooth and inclusive welcome she needs and deserves for her new start at Highcliffe School, is the reason why we do the work that we do. Not only has this been beneficial to her at present, but these adaptations will also be able to transform the academic lives of other students succeeding her. Everybody involved with facilitating this grant at the Trust feels immensely proud.”

To apply for funding from the Talbot Village trust, visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org to submit an online application.

The Trust meets biannually and is accepting applications for funding from both previous and new applicants in the area before the Trustees meet in autumn 2021.