AN innovative new scheme to support children with special needs in the city has been awarded more than £200,000 by The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Friends of Fort Royal and C&T, a specialist organisation which uses theatre techniques and digital technology to empower children, have partnered up for Time to be Seen project.

The money will help the school to create more interactive lessons for children.

Headteacher of Fort Royal Community Primary School, Ed Francis, said the funds had provided the partnership with the “means to create something very special, worthwhile and we hope ground-breaking.”

He said: “We are excited to have secured this opportunity to use technology to improve the learning and lives of our very vulnerable pupils.”

The £205,000 worth of lottery money was secured thanks to Margaret Jones, the school’s grants and fundraising manager, who said it will let the school to continue “breaking down barriers” for children with special needs.

Mrs Jones said some of the money will be spent on 3D, interactive technology for classrooms.

She added: “This is an exciting piece of work that will not only help our children with the most complex needs, but support staff and put Fort Royal School at the forefront, breaking down barriers, opening up opportunities and inspiring best practice.”

Dr Paul Sutton, artistic director of C&T said: “This is a terrific opportunity for our company to work with a wonderful and inspiring school. Fort Royal does amazing work and we are thrilled to be a part of that story using our expertise in drama, creativity and digital technology to help enhance learning and the children’s development.”

Since June 2004, the Lottery has made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9billion to projects.