SANTA’S, ELVES AND A T-REX! JUST SOME OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FAIRFIELD FARM COLLEGE 2019 SANTA DASH.

For the third year Fairfield Farm College hosted the Wiltshire Santa/Elf Dash. The ‘now famous’ event is aimed at students of all ages with additional needs in both mainstream and special education. The event has been created & developed with the underlying principle that all young people deserve high quality opportunities to challenge themselves physically and emotionally in a fun, safe & appropriate environment.

What better way to do this than with a Christmas themed event! 18 different primary, secondary, special schools and colleges attended this year’s event. 294 students took part in total, with 126 supporting adults. As well as all the students, there were 22 Sports Leaders from Fairfield Farm College and Lavington School helping with the event. There were a range of inclusive activities ensuring that there was something for everyone.

Pupils could choose from two Lapland Challenge courses. One course was designed for Santas and Elves who wanted a high energy, busy experience in a big open field, the other was set out for pupils who find movement challenging or just wanted to experience ‘snow stations’ in a more controlled, gentle way.

Other pupils visited the sensory Winter Wonderland area. Here they explored Christmas through sensory stories. They could sit & touch different festive items, they could taste Christmas treats. They sang & signed Christmas songs.

The participants could also have fun on the bouncy castle, trampettes, hoopla hoops, visit the ‘reindeer’ ponies & make something in the craft area. Once they had had enough action, they could enjoy a Christmas biscuit baked by the Fairfield Farm College students. Every participant left with a bespoke event medal and a big ‘snowy’ smile!

The team at Fairfield Farm College would like to thank:

• Wiltshire Highways for delivering & lending us 30 big traffic cones
• Caroline ‘The Dance Lady’ Newman for her music & trampettes
• Active Trowbridge for the inflatable castle
• Susie Nowell-Kelly for her communication expertise

Finally, a big thank you to all the schools and colleges, some of whom travelled a long way, for supporting the event and helping to ensure that everyone left feeling proud of themselves for trying something different, in a different environment, with different people.