Outdoor space upgrade at Keevill Unit under way
The revamp of the outside space at the Keevill Unit at Speenhamland School is under way.
The unit is a learning space for children with physical disabilities and around £150,000 is being spent to add to the £860,000 outdoor upgrade in 2022.
Paralympian Louise Sugden, a former Speenhamland and Keevill pupil who has competed both as a wheelchair basketball player and powerlifter, officially opened the building in 2022.
The unit first opened in 1973 and was named in memory of Don Keevill, a former deputy head at the school.
West Berkshire Council has provided the funding to enable the school to oversee the work and appoint specialist Timotay Playscapes to design and build the new area.
Work is due to complete early next year and the new space will be officially opened by Andy Stevenson, a former Speenhamland student who was part of the Keevill Unit between 1985 and 1992.
He has gone on to work as a TV presenter and radio reporter, including covering the Paris Olympics and Paralympics for BBC TV and American broadcaster NBC.
Andy was born with very short arms and no hands.
His left leg only comes down to knee level, so he wears a prosthetic leg on his left side.
He was passionate about sport from a young age and has combined that passion with his skill for writing and public speaking to pursue a career in sports media, beginning at BBC Radio Berkshire in 2004.
“When my parents moved to Berkshire in the mid-80s because of my dad’s job, the reason they settled in the Newbury area was almost entirely because they were so keen on me going to school at Speenhamland and benefitting from the brilliant Keevill Unit,” he said.
“It was such an important, happy time in my life and I owe everyone connected with the Keevill Unit such a lot.
“I’m honoured to be asked to open this new outside space which I’m sure is going to benefit dozens of children.”
Julie Lewry, headteacher at Speenhamland, said: “Our Keevill pupils will definitely benefit from the newly designed space, which includes a sensory outdoor class, wheelchair-friendly track and ‘story throne’ area.
“The new provision will encourage our pupils to spend more time outdoors, which in turn will enhance their wellbeing.”
Heather Codling (Lib Dem, Chieveley and Cold Ash), West Berkshire’s executive member for children and family services, said: “It goes without saying that the Keevill Unit does amazing work and that their students are incredibly inspiring.
“Louise and Andy are testament to what can be achieved, and without a doubt, great education delivered in a great environment is what every child deserves.”