Education Exchange West Midlands Organises Make Over for Solihull School
Over 70 community volunteers have come together this week (Tuesday 19th August) to work to make over Hazel Oak School in Solihull. this follows extensive, collaborative work by school leaders to enhance their curriculum and offer for learners, ready for September 2025.
The group spent a full day painting and refurbishing the school’s grounds. After working from 8am until 4:30pm, the volunteers transformed the space into a welcoming and attractive environment, ready to welcome back children and young people next month. The volunteers helped to repaint six classrooms and corridors, as well as clearing an outdoor garden area, decorating outdoor equipment and improving the grounds generally. The team also helped to repurpose twelve interactive screens, install a new mural and install some purpose-built furniture.
Hazel Oak is an inclusive, all-age special school for children with a broad range of learning difficulties. They support neurodiverse learners within a caring community, including those with Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, speech, language and communication difficulties and social, emotional, and mental health needs. Staff aspire to achieve equity for all, embracing and celebrating the differences that pupils, staff, families, and visitors represent.
The makeover took place after the school reached out to The Education Exchange West Midlands who organised for the work to take place. The Education Exchange West Midlands is an inspiring initiative bringing together leaders from schools and trusts across the region to collaborate, innovate, and make a tangible difference in education. Some of those who helped out at Hazel Oak work for local companies who have contracts with local schools and trusts who kindly offered their services to support the project.
The group promotes professional generosity and friendship and prioritises free collaboration between educators and care givers to enhance opportunities and outcomes for all children and young people.
Mr Andy Simms, Head Teacher at Hazel Oak School said:
“Everyone at Hazel Oak School is so grateful to The Education Exchange West Midlands and all their volunteers for their hard work on our indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s incredible that educators from all across the region have come together to support us and I cannot wait to see the childrens’ faces light up when they return to school and see the makeover that has taken place.”
Vince Green, Education Exchange The West Midlands and CEO of Summit Learning Trust, said:
“Huge thanks to colleagues from schools, trusts, Solihull Local Authority and local businesses who supported this Education Exchange project. As a result of their hard work, and professional generosity, the amazing children at this school will benefit from enhanced learning environments to complement the strong improvement work being carried out by leaders.”
More information:
- The Education Exchange West Midlands plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion and social mobility by facilitating the sharing of effective strategies among educators to improve educational outcomes, especially for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, thereby ensuring equitable opportunities and fostering success for all students regardless of their starting points. As societies strive for advancement, the exchange of educational resources and strategies becomes paramount to improve educational outcomes both in the present and for future generations.
