A TYNEDALE school has benefited from a generous donation by a North-East-based housebuilder.

Barratt Developments North East is continuing its support to charities and organisations in the area, and this month, Hexham Priory School has been selected as its good cause.

It comes after the school, which works with pupils aged two to 19 with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, announced they were raising essential funds to help replace the school’s minibus.

And as travelling to new places for trips, residential visits and swimming lessons are all a big part of the children’s learning experience, Barratt Developments North East boosted their fundraising efforts to the tune of £1,000.

The schoolchildren also took part in an colouring activity, organised by the company, which saw them use their creativity and imagination to design their very own school bus and plan their dream trip in their brand new minibus.

Liz Davison, head teacher at Hexham Priory School, was delighted at the housebuilder's generosity.

She said: “We are extremely grateful to Barratt Developments North East for their generous donation, it really is fantastic news!

"Recently, our school has been able to increase the pupil capacity and the minibus is needed now more than ever.

"The Friends of Hexham Priory School have been raising money urgently to replace the vital method of transportation for the children, so the pupils can continue to be active members of our local community. They are edging closer to their target for the minibus and Barratt Developments has helped this greatly!”

Ashlea Wright, sales manager at nearby David Wilson Homes Woodland Rise development, added: “We’re really pleased that our donation to Hexham Priory School will help them get closer to their target for the minibus.

"There were so many colourful variations of the minibus and the dream trip the children would take, it was clear to see how much the school means to them and how important the new minibus will be to the school.”

For more information about David Wilson Homes’ Woodland Rise development or to book an appointment, visit: www.dwh.co.uk/WoodlandRise

More information on Hexham Priory School and their fundraising efforts is at www.hexhamprioryschool.co.uk/