Three SEND school minibuses vandalised

A special educational needs primary school has had three of its five minibuses vandalised.

Priory Woods School and Arts College in Middlesbrough said on social media it had shared footage with Cleveland Police showing two individuals on the school site smashing up the vehicles.

The Teesside Family Foundation previously contributed £30,000 towards one of the damaged minibuses.

Foundation founder Tony Wedlake said seeing the vehicles damaged was "heartbreaking", but there were plans to raise more money to make sure opportunities were not taken away from children.

He said: "We are absolutely devastated by what has happened at Priory Woods, these aren't simply three damaged minibuses - for the children who attend the school, they are a lifeline.

"They allow children with special educational needs and disabilities to access opportunities and experiences that many of us take for granted, whether that's visiting the woods or the beach, going to the theatre, enjoying a theme park or simply getting out into the community."

Parent Chrissie Madden said her child had been attending the school for a year and it was "incredible" with staff going above and beyond for the children.

"We can't understand why anyone would choose to target the school and more specifically the transport that the staff and students use day in and day out," she said.

"The minibuses provide vital transport for students so they can gain a wide range of experiences that they would otherwise go without."

Cleveland Police has been approached for comment.

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