Ten Tors 'highlight of the year' for SEND students

A group of nine students with special educational needs have been preparing to compete in part of the Ten Tors weekend on Dartmoor.

The Jubilee Challenge is a trekking expedition designed specifically for young people with special needs, both physical and educational, and the team from Bodmin College is competing in the 7.8 mile (12.6km) distance, having camped the night before.

The Dartmoor Preservation Society has provided £2,080 for appropriate clothing and shoes, the cost of which would otherwise prevent the school from taking part.

Jen George, head of adventure and outdoor learning at Bodmin College, said: "For a lot of these students it's the highlight of the year."

Jen George said for her students "even the start of the event can be quite intimidating".

One of the students is partially blind and others have autism.

Alfred, who will be taking part for the third time, said: "Because of my autism, personally I have experienced occasions where I might get overwhelmed and probably sick, which I don't want because that is an anxiety thing.

"However, I have done it twice so I know what to expect.

"The first year I did it I was sick when I reached the finish line, when I did it last year I wasn't sick at all."

Jen George said: "The equipment we are given makes the challenge happen for us at Bodmin.

"We wouldn't be able to do it without the donation of kit or without the donation of funds to allow us to buy that, so we are really grateful to the Dartmoor Preservation Society for being able to fund that for us this year.

"It's massive, and for quite a lot of them, it's the biggest event they have ever taken part in and it's something they are really really proud of."

Orchard Manor School, a special school for children with additional needs in Devon, is also taking part in the Jubilee Challenge.

It too has benefited from funds provided by the Dartmoor Preservation Society.

Teacher Janice Woodward, who is in charge of outdoor adventure, said: "If I was to send a letter home saying "you need to buy all this kit to take part" there would be several children who can't, but now everyone can take part."

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