Kind-hearted estate agents have donated surplus furniture to a school for children with learning difficulties.

Spicerhaart has given half a dozen armchairs, a couch and stationery to Oak Lodge School in East Finchley to help them create a welcoming and safe environment for their students. Managed by Barnet Special Education Trust, Oak Lodge has 200 children aged between 11 and 19 who all have a range of learning difficulties and disabilities. Half of them have an autism diagnosis.

Headteacher Lynda Walker said the furniture would be used in the school’s classrooms and would be appreciated by students and staff.

“Like all schools, we appreciate any donations of useful items in good condition so these were gratefully received,” she said.

“Our school setting is a bit different to a mainstream one – our pupils can find themselves becoming dysregulated, so a safe, comfortable space for them to refocus and get ready to learn again is really important.

“We’re extremely thankful for these donations – thanks to everyone at Spicerhaart for thinking about us.”

Tom Charlesworth, Senior Training Manager at Spicerhaart, oversaw the donations, which were organised by the group’s Facilities Manager Christian Clayden, and said:

“We are always looking to help good causes when we can, and the work Oak Lodge do for children with learning difficulties is so valuable.

“It’s a cause particularly close to my heart, so I was delighted to visit the school when the furniture was delivered.

“Not only does the school benefit, but it is also good for the environment for us to reuse and recycle things which might otherwise have gone to landfill.”