Leading this exciting 3 day workshop were drama facilitator Alison Goldie and accomplished singer and musician Abdelkader Saadoun, a master of RAI music. RAI originates from traditional Algerian music and also encompasses Jazz, Funk, Rock, Reggae, Fusion, and Blues. The team were supported by Aretha Ayeh, a choreographer in training. The creative team worked with special needs children from Sunnyside School who had been chosen by their teachers as most likely to benefit.

The theme was Africa, and the emphasis of the project was on music, dance and storytelling. The workshop aimed to give the young people a strong flavour of some of the rhythms of African music, and a taste of what life is like for young people, and adults, in that continent. The workshop drew on African stories and real life practices and customs, with some attention to different languages spoken. A short show was devised from the experiments with drumming, dancing and singing which was performed for friends and family on the evening of the final session.

Sunnyside School, The Baulk, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 0PT

Sunnyside School

Sunnyside is a day school for pupils, aged 2 - 19 years, who have severe learning difficulties. The current number on roll is 81. Many of our pupils have additional needs, including sensory and/or physical difficulties. We also have a growing number of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Staff members have a wide range of expertise and are trained and experienced in addressing the needs of pupils with sever and profound complex learning difficulties.

The school has become recognized as a centre of excellence for teaching children with autism and related communication difficulties. Many staff members have undertaken TEACCH training with Bedfordshire. The TEACCH system is used with pupils with autism, who are based at Sunnyside and in the four inclusion classes.

Successful inclusion classes have been established at three local mainstream schools - Langford Lower School, Holmemead Middle School and, since September 2002, at Stratton Upper School - where several of our pupils are based with members of Sunnyside staff.

The Lawns Early Excellence Centre shares the Sunnyside site and offers integration opportunities for some of our younger pupils. Some of the Nursery children join our younger pupils in sharing the good facilities offered by Sunnyside.

Sunnyside is conveniently situated close to the town centre. Community facilities such as other schools, shops, the library, swimming pool and businesses are local and offer opportunities for pupils to develop their independence skills.

Sunnyside School, The Baulk, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 0PT.