Bounce for Autism Delivers to Birdhill, NS

We're pleased to share that The Irish Autism Society has kindly donated a new trampoline to Birdhill, NS Tipperary as part of the Bounce for Autism program.

As Gina from Bidhill NS shares, the new trampoline is expected to offer a valuable resource for the school - 

We are a rural co-ed school of 120 pupils currently.  We have grown over the last 30  years from a two teacher school with two classrooms, to  a staff of 21 this year,
with 5 classrooms, 3 SET rooms, a sensory room, and 2 classes for pupils with autism.

We have 12 teaching staff, 7 SNAs and a secretary.

Our Autism classes opened in 2018 and 2019 respectively. They were fully subscribed immediately. No vacancies have arisen since then and every year we receive many more applications for places, such is the demand.

We have 12 pupils with Autism in our 2 special classes. Also 6 other pupils based in mainstream, some coping to varying degrees in that setting, others who have been determined as absolutely requiring a Special Class place, but none is available here or elsewhere, with lots of resulting challenges.

While we are rurally based, our site footprint is very small and we are landlocked by other buildings and property. We have no grass surface whatsoever. Some of our previous yard space was taken over by expansion extensions over the years as our school grew in population.

A trampoline would give pupils access to timeout from the classroom setting if overwhelmed, sensory stimulation and some fun and exercise in the fresh air, over and above simply being out in the yard.

We pride ourselves in being truly inclusive, with integration and reverse integration happening across all our class settings. Trampoline sessions would be an ideal
environment for pupil inclusion, integration and fun.