A serious debate has been taking place for several years about Special Schools in the UK education system. We await the government's decision. Some wish to bring as many children as possible with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD) into mainstream schools. Others see value in keeping those with learning difficulties in a specialist school.

We in Children's World stand aside from the debate, but we do not stand aside from the children. We work regularly in Special Schools, with SLD, MLD and EBD workshops, and also run integration worshop weeks with special schools and their neighbouring mainstream schools to help and encourage children to accept each other and become friends regardless of 'ability'.

We have been involved in preparations to amalgamate one particular Special School in Street, Somerset, with its neighbouring Mainstream School.

Now that so many children with additional needs are being included in mainstream education, Children's World is undertaking more workshops in mainstream schools addressing bullying, inclusion, transition etc. under the PHSE (Personal and Social Health Education) banner. This is in addition to our integration work.

Schools can book workshops during the school year as follows:

Drama/Creative Play [SLD] (offered in the Autumn term)
Drama/Video Tour on behaviour [MLD EBD] (offered in the Spring term)
Puppetry and Integration (offered in the Summer Term)

The best way to explain how Children's World approaches this work is to invite you to read the accounts of previous workshops, to enjoy the pictures, and particularly to read what teachers and other professionals say about us and the effect that our workshops have had on children.

Examples of CW in Action

1 Sept 2003-31 Aug 2004 Special Needs Tours

2001 Autumn SLD Drama Tour featuring Del's Deliveries

2001 Spring MLD "Television" Tour

2000 SLD Music & Movement Tour

1999 MLD Music Tour