Sutton School 60th anniversary
A Dudley special school celebrated its 60th anniversary with a carnival fun day and a visit from the Mayor of Dudley.
Sutton School which provides education for secondary school pupils with special needs, welcomed councillors, other special school heads and the Mayor of Dudley to the event on 18 May.
The school, which first opened 60 years ago has seen its intake grow from just 40 in 1962 to 180 in 2022. It offers a broad and balanced curriculum, including the national curriculum but also more vocational and practical courses such as BTECs in hairdressing and motor mechanics. Children are encouraged to challenge themselves in a supportive, nurturing environment.
The event included carnival games, a barbecue, face painting and a visit by an ice cream van as well as musical performances by performing arts students, and stalls selling items made and sourced by students undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The school has recently been able to develop a small woodland area at the back of the school thanks in part to a charitable donation by DVAMH. It has more than doubled the school’s outdoor space and will allow the school to expand its forest school activities. The school took the opportunity to mark this event by asking the Mayor of Dudley to plant a commemorative tree as part of the school’s own Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Councillor Anne Millward, Mayor of Dudley, said:
It was a pleasure and a real joy to attend today’s event. The school has grown so much in 60 years, not just with the addition of this wonderful woodland, but with an ever-expanding curriculum and supportive ethos to help all the children make the most of every opportunity offered to them.
The students showed real talent and flair with musical performances and participation in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. The children, teachers and supportive parents have a lot to be proud of.
Maxine Baker, Life skills coordinator at Sutton School, said:
We’ve been planning this day with and for the children for some time now, and its’s been great to hear their ideas and to see them contribute on the day with performances, stalls and just being generally helpful.
We’re delighted that the Mayor could attend and see our new woodland for herself. Our contractors have worked really hard, taking on the challenge of the sloping woodland and making this a beautiful green space for us to enjoy in the years to come.