The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, last week Friday (7th March) paid a visit to Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre in Ystrad Mynach to see the school’s award-winning facilities.
Trinity Fields pupils Brian Beckett, Jade Shevill, Catherine Gordon-Roberts and Dylan Booth gave Mr Towler a guided tour of the school’s sensory room, light room, sensory garden, ball pool and outdoor play facilities.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales was visiting the school as part of a piece of work he is conducting with children and young people around Wales on the importance of short breaks and respite care.
Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, said: “The children here have been really keen to talk to me about their experiences at Trinity Fields, holding my hand while showing me around their school. It’s been great to hear from the children today, as we are looking to publish a report demonstrating how important short breaks are for making and building on the education experiences children are getting in special schools. We need to try and ensure that all children with special needs get access to these breaks. It’s important for the children themselves, but it’s also equally important for their families.
“It’s absolutely fantastic here at Trinity Fields. It has brilliant provision, a fantastic building, an inspirational head teacher, a lovely, caring staff group and the children and young people are really confident. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my visit.”
Ian Elliott, Principal at Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre, said: “We were honoured to be able to welcome the Children’s Commissioner to the school today. The role of Children’s Commissioner is an important one as a link for pupils to speak about their problems and have their voice heard. It has been very empowering for the children here to sit down with the Children’s Commissioner over a cup of tea and a Welsh cake to talk about their experiences, with a view to sharing the benefits of these positive experiences across Wales.”
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning, added: “I’m delighted that the Children’s Commissioner for Wales has been able to visit Trinity Fields this afternoon to see pupils excelling at this sector-leading school.”
