A SPECIAL school received a £1,000 donation on Friday from a group of Freemasons.

Almoner John Bluett and charity steward Scott Hughes represented the Oakwood Lodge during a visit to Oakleigh School.

The school teaches 46 children with severe and complex learning difficulties between the ages of five and 11.

It is attached to the Acorn Assessment Centre for 34 children with a wide range of special needs.

Mr Hughes handed over the cheque to headteacher Jenny Gridley during a special assembly at the school in Oakleigh Road North in Whetstone.

Mrs Gridley said the money would pay for a bespoke chair for one of the students “I think it's really nice when local people in the local community think of us and our children,” she said.

As well as having learning difficulties, many children at Oakleigh have associated physical difficulties as well.

Mrs Gridley added: “We're looking for some specialist work chairs for the children so that they can access everything we do.

“These chairs can go up and down, children can be at table height and sometimes the chairs go into standing positions as well.

“It's very specialist equipment which you just can't get easily. Each of our children would need specialist chairs.”

Mrs Gridley said Barnet Council provided well for the children but any fundraising money donated to the school was well received as it enabled the school to enhance the school's pool of specialist equipment.

Mr Hughes said: “We wanted to put the money into a local charity rather than a national one. Visiting the school was really quite moving.”

The lodge decided to support the school after Mr Hughes heard about it through his local pub, the York Arms pub, also in Oakleigh Road North, which also fundraises for the school.

During the visit the pair had a tour and sat in on a special Mothers Day assembly and saw cards and presents the children had made for their mothers.

Mr Bluett said: “It's incredible. I was really moved by what they do. In the school everything's nice and colourful, it's a wonderful space. It's worthwhile for us to support.”

The funds for the donation came from the lodge's ongoing charity collections among members.

Mr Bluett said they wanted the donation to be the first of several to the school.