Keep Vinnie with his class!

Hello, my name is Rebecca McKinney, and I am the Headteacher at St. Alban's Catholic Primary School.

We have a very special pupil called Vinnie. Vinnie was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a complex congenital heart condition where one side of his heart didn't develop fully in the womb. Vinnie's journey has been one of courage and strength, marked by multiple surgeries and medical challenges from a very young age. His parents Claire and Ben have trusted our school with Vinnie and been so brave in enabling him to access school life at all levels.

Vinnie's resilience and unwavering spirit continue to inspire all of us at St. Alban's. Despite facing difficult odds, Vinnie has shown incredible determination and a positive attitude that have touched the hearts of everyone around him.

Concerns about Vinnie's well-being have prompted us to seek support for a crucial cause. Vinnie's Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist has emphasised the risks of him navigating the stairs to the junior classrooms due to his condition. Our goal is to provide Vinnie with a safe and accessible downstairs classroom that meets his unique needs.

UPDATE 2nd July 2024

Many thanks to all the generous donations that we have received so far. The school staff and Vinnie's family, especially his mum, Claire have received many questions (and messages of support) about our fundraising quest. We thought it might help if we try and answer some of them.

Why can’t Vinnie's class have a classroom downstairs?

The Reception and Y1 classrooms support the EYFS curriculum. They have specialist areas for supporting play, learning and toileting. The Y2 classroom is our smallest, and put simply our junior classes would not fit. The tables, desks, and so on need to support the pupils as they grow.

Why not a lift?

We have applied for a lift through the Physical Difficulties Support Service at Birmingham City Council. The waiting list can be up to two years and due to the asbestos in the walls of our clasp building, it makes any work very costly and challenging. We cannot lose a staircase as they are needed for fire exits. Vinnie is a wheelchair user and in the next few months and years, this will sadly become more frequent. Our upstairs classrooms will also need to be moderated to support wheelchair users, including ensuring there is an accessible toilet. This again will be very costly due to the nature of our school building.

Why not a stair lift?

A stair lift is an option but again presents challenges due to asbestos. Vinnie's family share the same concerns for Vinnie's mental health and well-being as school staff. Vinnie would need to use a stair lift several times a day. Vinnie's mum (who knows him better than anyone) shared that using a stair lift is not something Vinnie would not like to do. He does not like to be seen to be any different to his peers. He wants to be the same! It is challenging enough that Vinnie has to take medicine throughout the day, wear a special skisuit at playtime when its too cold, stay inside when it is too warm, and use his wheelchair even when he wants to chase friends who are running but to use a stair lift will be devastating for him. His mum shares concerns that Vinnie may become a school refuser or even worse stretch himself to climb the stairs putting additional strain on his heart and risking a cardiac arrest.

Why can't the school pay for a classroom?

As I am sure you are all aware, schools have been underfunded for many years. Despite our best efforts, St. Alban's remains in a deficit budget. Our recent Ofsted inspection praised the lengths we go to to support our vulnerable children and pupils with special educational needs. Vinnie deserves to be provided with a classroom that meets his needs. Alongside our fundraising, we will continue to request additional support from the local authority to meet Vinnie's needs. The school has a special school fund account. This account is externally audited and all new funds will go to this cause. Any fundraising efforts from the remainder of this academic year and next will go to funding the classroom, such as the annual summer fayre. We are hoping that companies may be able to match fund some of our events.

What does the £80,000 provide?

We have approached local companies that specialise in modular classrooms - but the cost is high. We have had three quotes so far with very similar costs. We want an environment that all the children can thrive in and that's ultimately safe. Due to being a school site, there are specifications that we have to adhere to for health and safety and insurance purposes etc. There are planning regulations, crane costs, groundworks, sewage works, mains connections and so on to consider. This figure hasn't just been plucked from the air.

I certainly do not have all the answers yet. All I know is that we need to do our best to help one of our most vulnerable children.

Due to the nature of the work, it is most likely that the Y3 class will begin their school year upstairs in September, with the dream that by October half term 2024 we have a new classroom in place. We will not give up...Vinnie may not be lucky enough to grow old but while we are blessed to have him in our school community, we will strive for him to be included in all activities and live the most 'normal' life he possibly can. He just wants to be the same as all the other seven-year-olds, sadly even though he has the biggest heart it is a special one and he needs our help!

We are asking for your help and generosity. Your contribution will not only make a difference in Vinnie's life but also in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all our students. Join us in ensuring Vinnie's educational journey is filled with opportunity, comfort, and joy.

Donate today at Vinnie's Fundraiser Page and be a part of this meaningful endeavour. Thank you for your kindness and support.

https://www.acorns.org.uk/news/vinnies-story/