Scopes4SEN
Telescopes for Special Educational Needs (SEN) - Scopes4SEN
Children with special educational needs and more vulnerable people should also be given the chance to look through a telescope and explore the Moon, the planets and the stars. Since end 2015 Joanne & Patrick Poitevin took up the challenge to roll out the initiative for the United Kingdom. Schools for special educational needs and institutions for children with disabilities are donated a telescope, and if available, loads of other education material. All free of charge!
So far in nearly 5 years we donated over 1100 telescopes, sometimes along with other educational material (if available): binoculars, meteorites, SUNoculars, books, posters, magazines, stereoscopes, digital microscopes, planispheres, solar glasses, magnifiers, planetariums, CCD cameras, etc.
Please get in touch:
- if you would like to donate a telescope or educational material
- if you know a location who caters special educational needs and keen to have a telescope
- if you would like to donate some funds
Please send us an email to obtain a telescope, if you have one to donate or use the donate button, to send some funds over.
Please do contact us via email scopes4sen@yahoo.com
Support via our PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8F7M77MLAPYCJ
Direct LINK for donations www.paypal.me/Scopes4SEN
Thank you for your support!!! With your donation, you give children with disabilities or learning difficulties in a school or institute the opportunity to see the Moon, the planets, the stars!!!
We are a registered charity!
Keep smiling,
Joanne & Patrick Poitevin
Co-founder Joanne (Jo) passed sadly away 18 July 2020. In her legacy, Scopes4SEN continues donating telescopes.
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Download, print and distribute Scopes4SEN leaflet
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Download, print and distribute Scopes4SEN poster
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Who are we?
Joanne and Patrick Poitevin @ Tissington UK
Tweeting about the Solar Eclipse Calendar (SEC), Astronomy and Solar Physics daily on Twitter (@PatrickPoitevin or @Scopes4SEN), FaceBook (Patrick Poitevin), and occasionally LinkedIn. Follow Scopes4SEN on FaceBook as "Patrick Poitevin" or on Twitter as @Scopes4SEN
Started Solar Eclipse Mailing List (SEML) in 1997, Solar Eclipse Newsletter (SENL) in 1996, and we organised four international Solar Eclipse Conferences (SEC): Antwerp Belgium SEC2000, Milton Keynes UK SEC2004, Los Angeles US SEC2007, New Mexico US SEC2014.
We started with the UK Project "Scopes4SEN" to give children with special educational needs and more vulnerable people the chance to watch the Moon, Planets and Stars with their own telescope of their school or institute. A telescope, binocular and plenty of educational materials is given free to schools and institutes.
Our Solar & Astronomy images and observations are at "Other interesting Observations" tab above or follow our Blog.
Observed and traveled to over 45 solar eclipses (see these pages "Our Travels") + over 5 transits (Mercury and Venus). Have been "in totality" for over an hour. Due to Jo's illness, we have not been able to travel to eclipses since early 2017. Jo passed away 18 July 2020.
Comments, recommendations, critics welcome!
Joanne and Patrick Poitevin @ Tissington UK
Tweeting about the Solar Eclipse Calendar (SEC), Astronomy and Solar Physics daily on Twitter (@PatrickPoitevin or @Scopes4SEN), FaceBook (Patrick Poitevin), and occasionally LinkedIn. Follow Scopes4SEN on FaceBook as "Patrick Poitevin" or on Twitter as @Scopes4SEN
Started Solar Eclipse Mailing List (SEML) in 1997, Solar Eclipse Newsletter (SENL) in 1996, and we organised four international Solar Eclipse Conferences (SEC): Antwerp Belgium SEC2000, Milton Keynes UK SEC2004, Los Angeles US SEC2007, New Mexico US SEC2014.
We started with the UK Project "Scopes4SEN" to give children with special educational needs and more vulnerable people the chance to watch the Moon, Planets and Stars with their own telescope of their school or institute. A telescope, binocular and plenty of educational materials is given free to schools and institutes.
Our Solar & Astronomy images and observations are at "Other interesting Observations" tab above or follow our Blog.
Observed and traveled to over 45 solar eclipses (see these pages "Our Travels") + over 5 transits (Mercury and Venus). Have been "in totality" for over an hour. Due to Jo's illness, we have not been able to travel to eclipses since early 2017. Jo passed away 18 July 2020.
Comments, recommendations, critics welcome!
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Yearly Jo and I try to collect as much as possible money in aid of Scopes4SEN: Elfing, Nativity and Halloween Display in Tissington, Solar Outreach, Star Gazing, ... Every penny is well used to buy and send the telescopes all over UK. If you know anyone, an organisation, any company or any trust where we could get funding ... please get in touch!
James Stafford of Derbyshire Scouts collecting telescopes for various locations, along with Sir Richard FitzHerbert in front of Tissington Hall. Picture courtesy Sir Richard FitzHerbert 04 November 2017
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Testimonials - snapshot only
Frustratingly, the weather has not been kind to us since the telescope arrived and we’ve had very few clear nights. However, on the very night that the telescope arrived, I was able to get to our Cubs meeting in time to get a great view of the moon. Several of our Scouts loved it and it was wonderful to see the excitement in the young people who had never seen the moon that close before.
Our plan will be to make much greater use of the scope once we’re allowed to camp again and when the weather is better. But, please rest assured that we’re delighted with it and it will get lots of use – we have space and astronomy related badges as part of the syllabus so it’ll get plenty of use then too.
Yours in Scouting…, Paul Carcone MBA FCMA CGMA, Group Scout Leader, 1st Chandlers Ford Scout Group - 25 October 2020
My name is Jane Musson mother of Catrin Burrows and I am a trustee of Valeplus a charity which gives learning opportunities to adult people with learning difficulties.
We are grateful to receive the telescope from your charity. At present we remain closed we were due to reopen when the second lock down arrived
When we eventually return we hope to put on some evening sessions to watch the sky at night but during the day it is light to take out and about birdwatching and looking at views over the Bristol Channel as some activities
We’ve just taken possession of one of your organisation’s telescopes and I just wanted to write on behalf of Stanley Head OEC to say thank you very much.
We are a residential centre accommodating thousands of children every year, so it will be very well placed to be accessed by a great many young people as part of structured sessions in the evenings. We are located in the countryside of the Staffordshire Moorlands so get a great view of the sky when the weather permits.
If you’d like any photos of it in use, please let me know (although you’ll have to wait until we’re able to re-open…).
Best wishes, Adam Geens, Head of Centre and Outdoor Education Adviser, Stanley Head OEC, Stoke-on-Trent City Council - July 2020
Your kit is really proving useful! James Salmon, Holmewood School, London - July 2020
Oh my goodness!! I can't believe it. I can't say thankyou enough. I am a 54 year old mum (widow) to 14 year old twins, both with Autism. My son is more severely affected. He has mental health problems associated with autism and has been unable to continue in mainstream school. We have recently been given a place in a different school setting where all of the pupils have either SEN or high anxiety/suicidal thoughts. My son has been suicidal on two occasions in the past 18 months and was referred as an emergency on both occasions to CAHMS which is the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service.
My son has one of those clever autistic brains where he can self learn anything he is interested in, read it, learn it, then lock it away in his brain (his words). He knows so much about the solar system as it is one of his passions.
Sadly his father, my husband, died unexpectedly when he was 8 years old and we've still not managed to come to terms with that yet.
We live on the edge of Dartmoor and we go there regularly. It will also be an ideal location to use the telescope. I will most definitely be providing you with some photos.
Thankyou again so much. It's been such a long time since something positive and nice has happened in our life. Charities like yours make such a big difference to families like ours.
Kind regards,Hayley - July 2020
I must apologise for not emailing you sooner. Just so that you are aware I do have some pics of our SEND young people using the telescope that you kindly donated. My laptop was quite good and it usually did everything that I needed. On Thursday 28th May I was contacting parents of kids from home (Safe and Well calls and individual telephone lessons). I felt something burning on my lap only to discover that my laptop had caught fire; part of the screen melted. I was able to unplug and get it outside to a safe area. Now I have a different laptop and I did manage to save lots on the cloud so at some stage I will be able to send you some pics. Our SEND groups have used the telescope to observe the Sun (through a filter of course) they have even seem Jupiter and Saturn. One of the kids commented and said “ooh look I can see a blob with ears’’. Patrick I would like to invite you into school at some stage in the new academic year. Hopefully lockdown will be over and this Global Crisis and CoViD will be defeated. Kindest regards, Frank Nichol
Hope this email finds you well during this difficult time and love that your work is still continuing.
I work for Lillington Youth Centre in Leamington Spa and in 2018 you provided us with some telescopes to use within our youth clubs that work with young people not accessing mainstream education, facing hardship or have diagnosed SEN. These have been a vital resource for support and has encouraged many young people back into education. One girl in particular has chosen to study astronomy at university, she will be the first person in her family to attend university.
I am writing to you to ask if there any possibility to apply for 2 more telescopes/ kits. One would be for an autistic young person who over this period cannot attend school but is also a young carer and has to take responsibility for her younger siblings and parent who is terminally ill. This young women aspires to work within the space industry but has very limited resources to encourage her learning at home.
The second is for staff to use on outreach sessions; as you can imagine the recent government guidance has impacted on our delivery stopping us from operating from the building. Instead we are delivering face to face work with our vulnerable members of the community out in the local park. We would love to be able to bring out some telescopes for our outreach summer provision as they really enjoyed using the telescopes in the centre.
Please let me know if you need anymore information.
Thank you for your time. Emma Stuchbury, Trainee Youth and Community Worker - Jun e2020
Hi Anakin received his Astronomy kit today he was so excited to get a parcel just for him & screamed (happy ) the house down when he seen what he had received he sat & has read through & he loves the dial he’s so excited & happy I just wanted to say a massive Thank you! It really is appreciated & we are also going through it together how excited Anakin is really has rubbed off we sit outside most nights now looking up to see what we can see he has an app on his phone but just sat out when it’s quiet just us two looking up is such an awesome experience & seeing Anakin so animated is just heartwarming sorry I’m off again I just wanted to let you know that your kindness mean soo much to myself & Anakin Thank you Tina - Burbage, Leicestershire - June 2020
and ...
Hi Just wanted to say a massive Thank you!! Telescope arrived this afternoon Anakin literally couldn’t wait to set it up! He’s so excited to look up at the night sky tonight! You have made a little boy extremely happy I’m so grateful Thank you so so much Many Thanks Tina
Hi Patrick, fter working all day yesterday, I was greeted with your parcel. Thank you so much, when I see my Headteacher I will give this to her, she will be over the moon!
I'll send you copies of any photos and newsletters Scopes4SEN appear in! Stay safe
Kind regards, Claire - Mrs Claire Hearn, Child Welfare Lead, Bexley Safeguarding Champion, Bexley Domestic Abuse Champion, Lessness Heath Primary School
Thank you so much, the telescope arrived this afternoon. My P was too excited to wait for the stars to be in view. But seeing the bird poo on the school roof across the road was the funniest thing to look at and got lots of laughs. I hope we can have a good look at the moon tonight, fingers crossed for clear skys.
P.S we have just figured out we had the telescope on the stand the wrong way round. We're all learning lots of new things all ready.
Thank you again, for bringing smiles, Emily - May 21, 2020
Home scholing during Covid-19 Lock-down:Hi Patrick, just to let you know the telescope & astronomy kit have both now arrived & are amazing. Thank you so much we are incredibly grateful. Kind regards, Sharon
Hi! Thought I would show you the face when he realised what it was haha! Thank you again so much, will let you know how it goes. Kind regards, Becky & Bryce
We have it, thank you so much it’s amazing! Can’t wait for tonight, an afternoon researching is in order 😊 Sarah
Hi Patrick, I just wanted to let you know that the telescope has arrived and it looks absolutely amazing. Keelan was amazed by being sent a parcel and was literally jumping up and down and flapping his arms. We have not set it up correctly and I will need what I refer to a good day from fibromyalgia to be able to work it out as we are on lock down due to health conditions. I will send you some photos etc when we are up and running and I would like to say a massive thank you for your generousity and kindness we are really grateful. Many Thanks, Dawn and Keelan Fleming
Adam Clark on LinkedIn: Gratefully received it has been too, with the students, that are in school, designing and building a cardboard observatory next week to house the telescope … when it is dry outside obviously! Thank you again - April 2020
I just wanted to make contact and confirm that the telescope has arrived.
I assembled it around lunch time and already the young people have used it to look at the wide variety of birds feeding on the grounds.
Once again, a BIG thank you. Cheers, Steve Cartledge - Meadows House, Radstock - April 2020
On behalf of the SEN children at St Paul's thank you so much for the scope!! Its amazing and we are loving it. We are currently trying to arrange for the scope to move around to different families to use to view the amazing full moon at the moment.
So we wanted to say a massive thank you, to you and your team for this brilliant resource.
Stay safe and thank you again. Chris Partridge Headteacher - April 2020
I am emailing to say that we have received the telescope. Thank you ever so much. This will be a valued resource at our social clubs.
Many thanks, Amy Warrington, Club Administrator, Space4Autism (Reg Charity No. 1141860)
We have received our telescope! Isn't she a beaut?!
We will be sure to send pictures over to you. Once again thank you, Kind Regards, Kos Choudhury - Assistant Principal, Heart of Birmingham Vocational College - March 2020
The telescope arrived this afternoon, thanks for your efforts.
It is very neat and compact and I wasn't expecting the rucksack.
We have scout grandparents who are amatuer astronomers. Sometime ago they ran the Astronomer badge for the Cubs and I have made contact again so that they can give us some more advanced guidance than my basic general knowledge. Thanks again. Regards, Ray Hobbs, 6th Blyth Scout Group - March 2020
We received our telescope today. Wow! We are extremely grateful. We have a group of children going to the Lake District soon on a residential, they are going to take it with them. Thank you so much! Regards, Joanna Hervey, Learning Mentor/ Computing Support, Marsh Green Primary School - March 2020
We’ve just received the telescope…Thank you! We’re absolutely thrilled for our children to have this opportunity! Thank you for all your hard work and wishing you the best with your undertakings. Best wishes and regards, Archana Lopez, SENCo, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Eltham - March 2020
Good afternoon Patrick. Woww thank you I have received a "First Light astronomy kit" from you .
Naome Cynthia Muzeremwi, Registered Manager, Five Rivers Child Care,Salisbury - Mar 20
Our surprise has arrived! That is so kind. Thank you. It will really help the students get the best use out of the telescope. We are enjoying. Best wishes, Janine Christley, Director of Fundraising, Ruskin Mill Trust - Mar 20
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift of the telescope. We received it just before half term and cannot wait to use it with our children. The teachers are all very excited about this generous gift which will no doubt be put to good use. We will keep you informed of how the children are using it and hopefully send some photos over to you. Thank you once again. Best wishes, Julie Lewis, SENCo, Boxgrove Primary School - Oct 2019
Wonderful trip to your greenhouse today, thanks ever so much for our lovely new telescopes. Will be sure to keep you posted on our endeavours and will share on school social media pages. Thanks again ever so much and for the literature too, we are so very grateful and can't wait to get the children involved. Frankie
Kirklington Primary School, Nottinghamshire - 05 October 2019
This is a quick email to say a massive thank you on behalf of our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts with learning difficulties for the amazing donation of the Celstron portable telescope which you very kindly sent to our Scout Group.this week. (I was aware of a parcel due to be arriving this week, but had no idea what is was)
On returning home late last night after running our Cubs and then Scouts, I was amazed to see the telescope and all the accessories to go with it.
Due to the time I got home (after 10:30pm), our young members do not yet know about telescope, as we were not expecting anything so soon, so we will be letting them know about it next Monday and Thursday when we meet again and I am certain they will be 'over the moon' with it!
We are busy finalising plans to deliver the astronomy and stargazer badges, now that the nights have drawn in and the telescope will be put to good use by all the individuals concerned.
As we live so close to an International Dark Skies Park - here in Northumberland, we intend to get the boys and girls out to observe the skies above them and learn more about the universe in which they live.
It is also brilliant that the telescope can be used for watching wildlife too, as we do a lot of that as part of their naturalist and animal carer badges and awards - our Cubs have just completed a weekend of wildlife watching at the beginning of September on the Northumberland coast, so that is an unexpected and added bonus!
I would like to arrange for some photos to be taken when we use the telescope, which we intend to forward to you - I will make sure some are taken in the light, so you can actually see the telescope!
In the meantime, I hope you are happy that we promote the fact that you have very generously donated the telescope through your initiative, via our range of social media and communication channels. We would like to make other local groups and schools aware of your fantastic work.
Once again on behalf of our amazing young people, we thank you and your team for your amazing help and support! Very best wishes, Mike Hawkins, Group Scout Leader, 2nd Wideopen (St John's) Scout Group - 04 Oct 19
I would just like to say a huge thank you on behalf of everyone at Woodley School and College, for our telescope which arrived this week. Our students and teachers are very excited to use it, and when doing so we will take photographs and tweet them ensuring we mention ‘Scopes4Sen’. If you are ever passing through Huddersfield you are more than welcome to visit our school and have a look around.
Thanks again, and I hope you manage to continue to offer such wonderful work.
Kind Regards, Emma Simpson, Woodley School and College, Huddersfield - 13 September 2019
Back at school yesterday. 'There are two parcels for you', said the Office. Funny, I thought, I am only expecting one.
Imagine my surprise when I found the telescope; an ideal teaching instrument for GCSE.
I'm seeing the group for the first time on Friday and I suspect that they will be rather excited....
Thank you! [I'll be on the scrounge again I am sure...]
James Salmon, Holmewood School - 04 September 2019
Our telescope arrived in the post today and the boys are absolutely over delighted with it, (no pun intended)
Thankyou so so much, they are looking forward to dark :-)
I have attacked a few pictures of them using it, they have watched a spider spin a web on the garden so far
We will be making a donation in due course!
Thank you, Regards , Zoe sparkes - Sent on behalf of lindon and keris sparkes
Thank you so much for the very quick arrival of the telescope. I haven’t had the chance to open it yet but I am very excited to do so! As soon as we are able to get some photos of the children and young people using the equipment we will post them on Facebook and share your website with it and another posts that are included with the telescope in future posts. We are closed next week for the week so we are spending this week getting ready for a week off so it maybe a little time before any photos are posted on our Facebook page but please do keep a look out for them in the near future!
Once again huge thanks for such a kind donation from all of us here at Aspired Futures.
Many Thanks and Kind Regards
Claire, Claire Buckley, Administration Officer, Aspired Futures
Just a massive thank you for the delivery of the spotter scope!
As of next week, I will be running some space-themed football games with the youth Ability Counts players at Parley, & they will get to rotate use of the scope for a week at a time, indefinitely.
I will send some pictures when it is up and running. Thank you again. My very best wishes, Rob Amey - Parley Sports Ability Counts
Our telescope arrived this afternoon safe and sound.
Many thanks from all of our Beaver Scouts for such a generous gesture.
We can’t wait for our sleepover later this year when they will all have a chance to explore our dark skies in North Northumberland. Best wishes, Christine Coleman
Thanks to Patrick and Joanna Poitevin for donating the telescope to Nightstop Wyre Forest. We are a small local charity that challenges and prevents youth homelessness and provides a family mediation service. It has been a joy to see one particular 10 year old learning how to use the telescope and hope that this will provide him with a new interest which he can share with his family and friends!
Thank you for the telescope it has arrived safely in school. We are already planning a star gazing evening on the back of this. Best wishes, Elizabeth Ward St Bede's RC Primary School
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the telescope. We received it and it's perfect.
Now that we have the telescope we are going to be organising a star gazing event in October. Everyone is really excited and looking forward to it.
Thanks once again Jenny Thorp Science Lead Latymer All Saints Primary School - 03 July 2019
Thank you soooo much. We received our telescope earlier in the week. We are already planning our stargazing night for the winter and will shout about you now and then. Thank you soooo much again.
Hannah and all at Bude Primary - 29 June 2019
Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful donation of a telescope for our school. Hopefully there will be many WOW moments to come...
Trevor Jarred - Enfield School 26 June 2019
Thank you so much! Our telescope arrived yesterday and looks amazing. I had no idea it would come so quickly. The timing is fab because I'm taking a year 5 group on a residential trip onto Dartmoor next week. I can't wait to try it up there.
Thanks again, I'll spread the word and best of luck with all your work.
Katharine Pemberton Modbury Primary School - June 2019
I am writing to confirm safe receipt of our telescope and I am amazed at just how quickly you were able to organise this.
On behalf of Freezywater St George's, I would like to send you and all those involved our thanks and appreciation . This will provide our children with new and deeper learning opportunities and increase their Science Capital.
I would also like to extend our gratitude to the companies who have facilitated this.
Many thanks Sandra Burt Science lead Freezywater St George's CE VA Primary School Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 6NR - June 2019
All the scouts, leaders, and committee at KD6 Scout Group in Kidderminster want to thank you for your wonderful donation of a travel telescope – perfect for adventures and camping trips! Scouts can work towards an astronomy badge which includes identifying constellations and observing the moon, so your donation will be well used. Maybe we will discover a new star?! Best wishes for your future work, thank you again, Holly FerrisHolly Ferris - Treasurer, KD6 Scout Group, Kidderminster, Worcestershire - June 2019
Our Physics team is over the moon, as you predicted. We offer an astrophysics option as part of the A-Level so the telescope that arrived today will be brilliant for that.
It may be that a member of staff will offer amateur astronomy as an enrichment activity too.
Coincidentally (?) we have a couple of private candidates sitting GCSE Astronomy at our exam centre this summer. Life has some unexpected comings together when the stars are aligned, it seems.
Thank you so much. As I say, the staff are delighted and amazed.
Fiona Pocock - Principal at Bosworth Independent College
Dear Patrick, I just wanted to say a very big thank you for our telescope. It arrived this morning and I have just finished setting it up. I am sure that there will be many hours of fun and learning for the children using this. Already I have teachers excited about using it with individuals and I know that these children will gain a lot.
Many thanks for your kindness.
Louise Brisco and all of the children at Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Primary School - 01 April 2019
Good evening My school has received the telescope from you today Thank you for the nicest gesture someone has ever done for us As I had promised I will get in touch with the relevant agencies and I will ask them to contact you if possible Kind regards Mihaela, Mab’s Cross Primary, Wigan
Good evening Patrick Poitevin we received 2 telescopes the APSC Managment want to thank you for your amazing great humanitarian work. You are making a big impact on our young people education. Thank you very much. Kind regards AValentim
Thank you so much for the telescopes. We are absolutely delighted with them. We are currently working out how to use them, so we know how to show the children. We are so grateful for your support and helping us change the lives of children in hospital. Best wishes Fiona
Fiona O'Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager Edinburgh Children@s Hospital Charity - 11 February 2019
Hi Patrick, Just wanted to pass on my thanks for the donation of the telescopes, they really are fantastic and the children and young people will love having a go with them. Thank you Best Wishes Stacey
Stacey Curzon, Youth Worker, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, Lark Rise, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2HS - 04 February 2019
Dear Patrick and Joanne - I thought you might like to see these pictures of our stargazing event last week. I am the wife of Dr Ger Graus who put us in touch and you subsequently donated two telescopes to Arbourthorne Primary and Gleadless Primary in Sheffield.
I contacted the University of Sheffield and we welcomed Astronomer James Wild to share his knowledge and teach us how to get the best from the telescopes with our children.
We had the most fantastic evening! We are now planning a summer stargazing camp out later in the year.
My sincere thanks for your kindness and generosity. You helped to make many children (and adults) very happy indeed! With very best wishes
Vanessa Langley, Executive Headteacher, Arbourthorne Community Primary School, Gleadless Primary School - 30 January 2019
Thank you very much Patrick we received the telescopes yesterday - they are already unpacked ! Thank you again for such a great resource Thank you Claire
Claire McKenna, Manchester Secondary PRU - 22 January 2019
It was a genuine pleasure and well worth the drive. What a beautiful village and location Tissington is. Thank you once again. I was able to share the scopes with the children in assembly and there are a host of budding astrologers eager to make the most out of them! Many Thanks
Hannah Binns, Stalmine Primary School, Poulton-le-Fylde - 21 January 2019
Sorry to be so long acknowledging receipt of the amazing telescope. My wife and I were able to put it together yesterday and had a fabulous view of the moon!
Now we can make it work we are going to involve the children.
Thank you so much for the very generous funding that provided the telescope.
Nigel Steele - Acting Head Teacher, Trinity Christian School in Reading, 13 January 2019
Huge thank you Patrick. Pupils love them. Genuinely can't thank you enough for your generous gift
Ian Roberts, Kensale school, 23 Sep 2018
On behalf of the children, staff and governors I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation of the two travel scopes and the PS1000 telescopes that you have kindly given to the school.
Judith, the member of staff who collected the scopes was absolutely blown away when she realised the size and quality of them. They will make a huge difference to the children when they are undertaken field work, I hope our knowledge of the curriculum will not do the scopes an injustice! (On a plus a member of our team is an astrophysicist!)
Thank you once again. I am sure we will not be the only school who will be humbled by your generosity.
Tracy Blackwell, Head teacher, Hartington C of E Primary School - 01 October 2018
Just a quick note to say a huge thanks for the telescopes which arrived today… They look absolutely amazing and will be a brilliant resource for Space Week and other events…
Have you got a postal address we can send a letter of thanks to please?
Abigail Stein, Programme Manager, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity
Please accept our sincere and heartfelt thanks for generously donating telescopes to Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity. It was so kind of you to think of the children in the hospital with this gift.
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Kirsten Sinclair - Director of Fundraising, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity - 27 August 2018
Dear Patrick and Joanne, how can we thank you enough for your amazing work in providing our SEN children with such amazing equipment. My apologies for this message coming to you a week after receiving the telescopes. I wasn’t in school on the day the parcel arrived and my headteacher was away in Shropshire with her ill father ........so.......things were delayed. I sent an email and this morning it came back!!!! So, I am writing to you via LinkedIn. We are so excited about next term’s work. I’ll be honest, it’s a new venture for us but one that is full of challenges. I think the way forward for us is if I find a suitable SEN expert who can get us started. We have a sleepover in the winter term and this will be such a fabulous addition to the whole experience. I will endeavour to keep you posted. I’m sending this message on behalf of myself and Gillian, the headteacher who is with her father now. Our sincere thanks and good wishes to you both, Carrie and Gillian.
St Anns School London - 16 July 2018
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the telescopes- they are amazing. I plan on using them initially with our nurture group. This is a group of SEN children with varied learning and physical difficulties. They are currently doing a project on planets and this will mean the world to them.
Kind regards
Lisa Burke - Moorside High School, Werrington, Staffordshire 30 June 2018
The telescopes arrived today - thanks so much! Can't wait to get them up and running!
Leila Stayton-Dyke, Early Action for Autism, Haywards Heath 27 June 2018
They have arrived, thank you again. I have already had two autistic children come and have a look at them. They said their dream is to see Jupiter and have been suggesting ideas for a star gazing evening.
Bryony McGregor - Combe Pafford School, Torquay Devon 13 June 2018
Thank you so much for the telescopes and equipment you donated to our school. The students and staff are extremely grateful and are making good use of all the resources.
Sarah Wilson - High Grange School, Mickleover Derbyshire 6 June 2018
We have started to unpack and look at our wonderful telescopes and are really excited about the opportunities that they will provide.
I will send you an update for your website very soon.
We really can’t believe how generous you have been and are very appreciative of this opportunity for our young people.
Everything has arrived in excellent condition.
Julia Clouter - Linden Centre (Primary) Carpenter Centre, Overdale Telford 5 June 2018
The telescopes are wonderful! The kids will love them. Thankyou so much. I'll start my astronomy club in autumn so will send you some pictures. Massive thanks again Jon.
Jon Green Teacher of SEN, Newsome High School 31 May 2018
We recently received a very kind donation of one of your telescopes together with a spotter scope for which I would like to extend our grateful thanks. Scouting aims to provide Skills for Life and we work with young people from across a range of backgrounds and abilities. Our programme includes awareness of the world around us and these telescopes will be made available to all Scout Groups in Eastleigh District to support their programmes. In particular I hope that they can be taken to camps to allow indoor based knowledge to be turned into reality through study of the night sky.
Our thanks to your charity for this donation.
Regards Dick
Dick Whittington, District Commissioner, Eastleigh Scouts 15 May 2018
Thank you so much for your delivery. They arrived today. Can't wait to use them.
Kelly McKeague Crynallt primary Neath 30 April 2018
The 2 telescopes have just arrived. Thank you so much.
My class were very excited when they found out what was in the boxes.
Can’t wait for it to go dark!
Paul Worsdale, North Ridge High School Manchester - 19 April 2018
Thank you so much Patrick you have made my daughter so happy she loves science especially space xxx
Rebecca Walker, Loughborough - 13 April 2018
Thank you so much Patrick, I have cc’d in our science teachers as they will be delighted I’m sure.
Kind Regards
Aoife (Pron' Eefa) O'Connor, Activity Centre Manager, The Children's Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCH - 09 April 2018
You recently sent me a ExploraScope 114AZ telescope, which has been well received by the pupils at North Primary School in Kirkcaldy. It has certainly created a buzz. We are currently arranging to collaborate with a group of amateur astronomers from a local high school, who might be able to offer advice, guidance and instruction on how best to operate this wonderful piece of equipment, which is fantastic. You mentioned in a previous email that you might be in a position to send an additional telescope, if the need arose. I think we will soon be at this point. If this is not possible, that is equally fine. Your initial gesture is still fabulous, and will prove to be a huge asset to the school and our children.
Matthew Ritchie, North Primary School, Nelson Kirkcaldy FIFE Scotland - 20 March 2018
Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity. It’s such a lovely thing you are doing and we are very grateful!
Jo Benfield, Hospital & Home Education Learning Centre, Nottingham - 20 March 2018
Thank you so much for the telescopes for St Luke's C of E and Biggin Primary schools.
It was great to meet you on Friday. I am amazed at your hard work managing the operation and commitment to get the telescopes into schools. I will definitely spread the word! You made light of it when we met but without your foresight and effort it wouldn't happen - we are so grateful.
We'll be using the telescopes immediately after the Easter holidays at St Luke's but Biggin may decide to wait until I start at the school in September (though I'll try to persuade them to explore before then!). Either way rest assured they'll get plenty of use.
Thanks again for this fantastic opportunity.
Teresa Nicholls Science Lead St Luke's C of E Primary - 18 March 2018
While on a course, a friend recommended your website and couldn't have had more praise for how wonderful and generous your service was. I know you're likely very busy and underfunded, but we're interested in whatever resources you can provide. We have no telescopes in the school, and only use one very strong birding lens to demonstrate some of what looking through a telescope is like.
I love space, and I wish to pass this love onto our students who sometimes find the material a bit dry. Due to various learning needs, practicals really help cement the learning and get their interest in a way worksheets just can't. Of course, since this is a passion project of yours, I'm sure you understand.
Thank you for everything you've done and the thousands of schools and centres you've helped. I hope that the planets align so that Selly Oak Trust can be one of them as well.
Trina Luciano, Selly Oak Trust School, Birmingham West Midlands - 16 March 2018
Thank you so much for all the excellent astro kit - the three scopes will be so important to the ongoing work that is being undertaken with the Care Home / Care Leaver young people.
Jan Reynolds and Nick Spall - 10 March 2018
Dear Patrick and Joanne
Thank you for your time and expertise the stargazing evening was a big success. Thank you for your generous donation of the three AstroMaster telescopes. Thank you for delivering the event, everyone loved it. We have had some great feedback from several people who commented on how engaging your talk was. From the event we raised just over five hundred pounds which will help us to support very deserving children from not only Derbyshire but from the rest of the UK as well, to enjoy a week of essencial respite, far away from the challenges they face in their home environment.
Thank you once again for your wonderful donation. I look forward to updating you on the difference your support has made in due course. You are always welcome to come and visit us.
Matt Nickson, Regional Fundraiser, CHICKS Daleside Retreat - March 2018
Wow - thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation! We are buzzing with ideas about how the telescopes can be used by the young people across the whole school, in the teaching centres and the hospitals. We will keep you updated with news of how we are getting on.
Claire Brown, Management Support Officer, James Brindley School - 08 March 2018
Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you for all your determination and effort in enabling so many young people the opportunity to gaze into the sky and explore our solar system. I believe that opportunities like this are essential in any young persons development and not only encourages an interest in science but builds their aspirations, imagination and knowledge.
Emma Stuchbury, Youth Worker, Targeted Support For Young People, WCC, Lillington Youth Centre - 06 March 2018
Patrick and Joanne, Thank you so much for your kind gift of the telescope. We were delighted with it and will definitely be putting it to good use with the students, it isn’t often we get such a useful piece of equipment so thank you again. It gives us the opportunity to make such an abstract concept more realistic for the students.
Lesley Dunkerley, Head of Science Newbridge Group School - 28 February 2018
Hi Patrick and Joanne. Telescopes have already reaped dividends for young fella with a range of issues. He was tasked with assembling the telescopes (a work in progress) and the positives he has taken from this has been massive already.
Dean Scott, Burntisland Primary School - 23 February 2018
Dear Patrick and Scopes4SEN, Thank you so much for the wonderful telescope you have given to St Christopher's Special School. It is simply marvellous to give the young people of St Christopher's the opportunity to enjoy the marvels of the sky. Many thanks and Kind Regards,
Maxine Pittaway, MBE - Headteacher St Christopher's School - 26 February 2018
Hi Patrick & Joanne Thank you so much for this lovely gesture. You can be assured we will put this telescope to very good use. It will provide a fantastic opportunity to children who might not otherwise have had access to this. It will also open up a window to a universe the children have not yet explored. I can’t wait to see the reaction of the children when they have the opportunity to use this wonderful resource. Once again, thank you so much for this very kind gesture. Will make a donation in due course. Have a great day!
Matthew Ritchie, North Primary School - 24 February 2018
Hi Patrick, Thank you so much for the telescope you sent. Kind regards,
Rachel Woodbridge, Youth Club Support & Training Young People First - 20 February 2018
Our telescope arrived and we love it. My Science and Art Teachers are excited to get it out and test it
Shaun Jarvis, WSAPC Littlehampton - 20 February 2018
Wow Patrick , we find it hard to believe that this is genuine. Special schools don’t usually get this generosity . We all thank you so much. Ange. - 18 February 2018
Many ,many thanks Patrick . Head teachers were chuffed. Children are thrilled and excited . Ange
Ange Anderson, Ysgol Pen Coch - 20 February 2018
Hi Patrick, Pitcheroak school received the telescope and accompanying materials today. The students will be very grateful for your donation of the equipment, and I am sure will put it to great to use in their science lessons and other associated curriculum activities.
Thank you for your kind generosity. Regards
David Lockyer, Pitcheroak School - 14 February
Dear Patrick, Just to say thank you so, so much for the telescopes etc that you sent to Unicorn Nursery. They are fantastic and the children are thrilled with them. I have passed you details on to as many people I could think off. Thanks again,
Deborah Tesseyman, Unicorn Nursery - 13 February 2018
Hi Patrick Thank you so much for the telescope, I’ve put it in my lab. The first thing one of our young people said ‘can I borrow it’, so I was wondering if it would be possible if we could have a couple more telescopes which we could loan out to some of our older young people who have expressed an interest in space.
Could I also ask for some more solar shades or sunoculars as our young people are keen to look at the next solar eclipse. Reagrds
Jo Chadwick, Priory Group - 07 February 2018
This evening we had our bonfire/star gazing night at school. Our star gazing club team all attended and although it was pretty cloudy, they enjoyed using the telescopes at night time. We also had two dads and a husband of one of our teachers bring their telescopes along and of course their fantastic knowledge! The year one children who attended the evening as part of their 'Who's hiding in the dark?' Topic, also had great fun experiencing the telescopes and the binoculars. It was a very successful evening for all! (Of course the sparklers and hot chocolate helped with the enjoyment!!)
Claire Hawkins Summerlea 01 November 2016
I just wanted to touch base about our star gazing club! We have 24 9-11years attending the club. We've had a range of activities for the children to experience. They've all got their very own book which they've all decorated and personalised and each week they add a new constellation drawing and facts. This week the children made bottle rockets and we tried to fly them with a mixture of explosive vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
My colleague went on a star gazing course organised by Chichester planetarium. Her new gained knowledge is helping to teach our very keen learners.
Each week a child is selected to take the telescope home and then the children have fed back to the rest of the group what they have discovered. Some of the children have made PowerPoint presentations, brought in photographs and information about the stars they have seen.
At the beginning of November our year one children are having a bonfire night at school (they're learning about nocturnal animals and Guy Fawkes) Our star gazing club are also invited along to use the telescope alongside a couple of parents ones, ipad star apps etc to enjoy some star gazing at night time.
Claire Hawkins Summerlea 20 October 2016
I have finally got my year nine group out into the school grounds to make some solar observations and we had good success. Unfortunately when I got the photos on my desk top, I remembered one of the students is not allowed to be photographed so I photo shopped him an Iron man mask.
Mark Liquorish St Martins 06 July 2016
Frustratingly, the weather has not been kind to us since the telescope arrived and we’ve had very few clear nights. However, on the very night that the telescope arrived, I was able to get to our Cubs meeting in time to get a great view of the moon. Several of our Scouts loved it and it was wonderful to see the excitement in the young people who had never seen the moon that close before.
Our plan will be to make much greater use of the scope once we’re allowed to camp again and when the weather is better. But, please rest assured that we’re delighted with it and it will get lots of use – we have space and astronomy related badges as part of the syllabus so it’ll get plenty of use then too.
Yours in Scouting…, Paul Carcone MBA FCMA CGMA, Group Scout Leader, 1st Chandlers Ford Scout Group - 25 October 2020
My name is Jane Musson mother of Catrin Burrows and I am a trustee of Valeplus a charity which gives learning opportunities to adult people with learning difficulties.
We are grateful to receive the telescope from your charity. At present we remain closed we were due to reopen when the second lock down arrived
When we eventually return we hope to put on some evening sessions to watch the sky at night but during the day it is light to take out and about birdwatching and looking at views over the Bristol Channel as some activities
We’ve just taken possession of one of your organisation’s telescopes and I just wanted to write on behalf of Stanley Head OEC to say thank you very much.
We are a residential centre accommodating thousands of children every year, so it will be very well placed to be accessed by a great many young people as part of structured sessions in the evenings. We are located in the countryside of the Staffordshire Moorlands so get a great view of the sky when the weather permits.
If you’d like any photos of it in use, please let me know (although you’ll have to wait until we’re able to re-open…).
Best wishes, Adam Geens, Head of Centre and Outdoor Education Adviser, Stanley Head OEC, Stoke-on-Trent City Council - July 2020
Your kit is really proving useful! James Salmon, Holmewood School, London - July 2020
Oh my goodness!! I can't believe it. I can't say thankyou enough. I am a 54 year old mum (widow) to 14 year old twins, both with Autism. My son is more severely affected. He has mental health problems associated with autism and has been unable to continue in mainstream school. We have recently been given a place in a different school setting where all of the pupils have either SEN or high anxiety/suicidal thoughts. My son has been suicidal on two occasions in the past 18 months and was referred as an emergency on both occasions to CAHMS which is the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service.
My son has one of those clever autistic brains where he can self learn anything he is interested in, read it, learn it, then lock it away in his brain (his words). He knows so much about the solar system as it is one of his passions.
Sadly his father, my husband, died unexpectedly when he was 8 years old and we've still not managed to come to terms with that yet.
We live on the edge of Dartmoor and we go there regularly. It will also be an ideal location to use the telescope. I will most definitely be providing you with some photos.
Thankyou again so much. It's been such a long time since something positive and nice has happened in our life. Charities like yours make such a big difference to families like ours.
Kind regards,Hayley - July 2020
I must apologise for not emailing you sooner. Just so that you are aware I do have some pics of our SEND young people using the telescope that you kindly donated. My laptop was quite good and it usually did everything that I needed. On Thursday 28th May I was contacting parents of kids from home (Safe and Well calls and individual telephone lessons). I felt something burning on my lap only to discover that my laptop had caught fire; part of the screen melted. I was able to unplug and get it outside to a safe area. Now I have a different laptop and I did manage to save lots on the cloud so at some stage I will be able to send you some pics. Our SEND groups have used the telescope to observe the Sun (through a filter of course) they have even seem Jupiter and Saturn. One of the kids commented and said “ooh look I can see a blob with ears’’. Patrick I would like to invite you into school at some stage in the new academic year. Hopefully lockdown will be over and this Global Crisis and CoViD will be defeated. Kindest regards, Frank Nichol
Hope this email finds you well during this difficult time and love that your work is still continuing.
I work for Lillington Youth Centre in Leamington Spa and in 2018 you provided us with some telescopes to use within our youth clubs that work with young people not accessing mainstream education, facing hardship or have diagnosed SEN. These have been a vital resource for support and has encouraged many young people back into education. One girl in particular has chosen to study astronomy at university, she will be the first person in her family to attend university.
I am writing to you to ask if there any possibility to apply for 2 more telescopes/ kits. One would be for an autistic young person who over this period cannot attend school but is also a young carer and has to take responsibility for her younger siblings and parent who is terminally ill. This young women aspires to work within the space industry but has very limited resources to encourage her learning at home.
The second is for staff to use on outreach sessions; as you can imagine the recent government guidance has impacted on our delivery stopping us from operating from the building. Instead we are delivering face to face work with our vulnerable members of the community out in the local park. We would love to be able to bring out some telescopes for our outreach summer provision as they really enjoyed using the telescopes in the centre.
Please let me know if you need anymore information.
Thank you for your time. Emma Stuchbury, Trainee Youth and Community Worker - Jun e2020
Hi Anakin received his Astronomy kit today he was so excited to get a parcel just for him & screamed (happy ) the house down when he seen what he had received he sat & has read through & he loves the dial he’s so excited & happy I just wanted to say a massive Thank you! It really is appreciated & we are also going through it together how excited Anakin is really has rubbed off we sit outside most nights now looking up to see what we can see he has an app on his phone but just sat out when it’s quiet just us two looking up is such an awesome experience & seeing Anakin so animated is just heartwarming sorry I’m off again I just wanted to let you know that your kindness mean soo much to myself & Anakin Thank you Tina - Burbage, Leicestershire - June 2020
and ...
Hi Just wanted to say a massive Thank you!! Telescope arrived this afternoon Anakin literally couldn’t wait to set it up! He’s so excited to look up at the night sky tonight! You have made a little boy extremely happy I’m so grateful Thank you so so much Many Thanks Tina
Hi Patrick, fter working all day yesterday, I was greeted with your parcel. Thank you so much, when I see my Headteacher I will give this to her, she will be over the moon!
I'll send you copies of any photos and newsletters Scopes4SEN appear in! Stay safe
Kind regards, Claire - Mrs Claire Hearn, Child Welfare Lead, Bexley Safeguarding Champion, Bexley Domestic Abuse Champion, Lessness Heath Primary School
Thank you so much, the telescope arrived this afternoon. My P was too excited to wait for the stars to be in view. But seeing the bird poo on the school roof across the road was the funniest thing to look at and got lots of laughs. I hope we can have a good look at the moon tonight, fingers crossed for clear skys.
P.S we have just figured out we had the telescope on the stand the wrong way round. We're all learning lots of new things all ready.
Thank you again, for bringing smiles, Emily - May 21, 2020
Home scholing during Covid-19 Lock-down:Hi Patrick, just to let you know the telescope & astronomy kit have both now arrived & are amazing. Thank you so much we are incredibly grateful. Kind regards, Sharon
Hi! Thought I would show you the face when he realised what it was haha! Thank you again so much, will let you know how it goes. Kind regards, Becky & Bryce
We have it, thank you so much it’s amazing! Can’t wait for tonight, an afternoon researching is in order 😊 Sarah
Hi Patrick, I just wanted to let you know that the telescope has arrived and it looks absolutely amazing. Keelan was amazed by being sent a parcel and was literally jumping up and down and flapping his arms. We have not set it up correctly and I will need what I refer to a good day from fibromyalgia to be able to work it out as we are on lock down due to health conditions. I will send you some photos etc when we are up and running and I would like to say a massive thank you for your generousity and kindness we are really grateful. Many Thanks, Dawn and Keelan Fleming
Adam Clark on LinkedIn: Gratefully received it has been too, with the students, that are in school, designing and building a cardboard observatory next week to house the telescope … when it is dry outside obviously! Thank you again - April 2020
I just wanted to make contact and confirm that the telescope has arrived.
I assembled it around lunch time and already the young people have used it to look at the wide variety of birds feeding on the grounds.
Once again, a BIG thank you. Cheers, Steve Cartledge - Meadows House, Radstock - April 2020
On behalf of the SEN children at St Paul's thank you so much for the scope!! Its amazing and we are loving it. We are currently trying to arrange for the scope to move around to different families to use to view the amazing full moon at the moment.
So we wanted to say a massive thank you, to you and your team for this brilliant resource.
Stay safe and thank you again. Chris Partridge Headteacher - April 2020
I am emailing to say that we have received the telescope. Thank you ever so much. This will be a valued resource at our social clubs.
Many thanks, Amy Warrington, Club Administrator, Space4Autism (Reg Charity No. 1141860)
We have received our telescope! Isn't she a beaut?!
We will be sure to send pictures over to you. Once again thank you, Kind Regards, Kos Choudhury - Assistant Principal, Heart of Birmingham Vocational College - March 2020
The telescope arrived this afternoon, thanks for your efforts.
It is very neat and compact and I wasn't expecting the rucksack.
We have scout grandparents who are amatuer astronomers. Sometime ago they ran the Astronomer badge for the Cubs and I have made contact again so that they can give us some more advanced guidance than my basic general knowledge. Thanks again. Regards, Ray Hobbs, 6th Blyth Scout Group - March 2020
We received our telescope today. Wow! We are extremely grateful. We have a group of children going to the Lake District soon on a residential, they are going to take it with them. Thank you so much! Regards, Joanna Hervey, Learning Mentor/ Computing Support, Marsh Green Primary School - March 2020
We’ve just received the telescope…Thank you! We’re absolutely thrilled for our children to have this opportunity! Thank you for all your hard work and wishing you the best with your undertakings. Best wishes and regards, Archana Lopez, SENCo, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Eltham - March 2020
Good afternoon Patrick. Woww thank you I have received a "First Light astronomy kit" from you .
Naome Cynthia Muzeremwi, Registered Manager, Five Rivers Child Care,Salisbury - Mar 20
Our surprise has arrived! That is so kind. Thank you. It will really help the students get the best use out of the telescope. We are enjoying. Best wishes, Janine Christley, Director of Fundraising, Ruskin Mill Trust - Mar 20
Thank you so much for the wonderful gift of the telescope. We received it just before half term and cannot wait to use it with our children. The teachers are all very excited about this generous gift which will no doubt be put to good use. We will keep you informed of how the children are using it and hopefully send some photos over to you. Thank you once again. Best wishes, Julie Lewis, SENCo, Boxgrove Primary School - Oct 2019
Wonderful trip to your greenhouse today, thanks ever so much for our lovely new telescopes. Will be sure to keep you posted on our endeavours and will share on school social media pages. Thanks again ever so much and for the literature too, we are so very grateful and can't wait to get the children involved. Frankie
Kirklington Primary School, Nottinghamshire - 05 October 2019
This is a quick email to say a massive thank you on behalf of our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts with learning difficulties for the amazing donation of the Celstron portable telescope which you very kindly sent to our Scout Group.this week. (I was aware of a parcel due to be arriving this week, but had no idea what is was)
On returning home late last night after running our Cubs and then Scouts, I was amazed to see the telescope and all the accessories to go with it.
Due to the time I got home (after 10:30pm), our young members do not yet know about telescope, as we were not expecting anything so soon, so we will be letting them know about it next Monday and Thursday when we meet again and I am certain they will be 'over the moon' with it!
We are busy finalising plans to deliver the astronomy and stargazer badges, now that the nights have drawn in and the telescope will be put to good use by all the individuals concerned.
As we live so close to an International Dark Skies Park - here in Northumberland, we intend to get the boys and girls out to observe the skies above them and learn more about the universe in which they live.
It is also brilliant that the telescope can be used for watching wildlife too, as we do a lot of that as part of their naturalist and animal carer badges and awards - our Cubs have just completed a weekend of wildlife watching at the beginning of September on the Northumberland coast, so that is an unexpected and added bonus!
I would like to arrange for some photos to be taken when we use the telescope, which we intend to forward to you - I will make sure some are taken in the light, so you can actually see the telescope!
In the meantime, I hope you are happy that we promote the fact that you have very generously donated the telescope through your initiative, via our range of social media and communication channels. We would like to make other local groups and schools aware of your fantastic work.
Once again on behalf of our amazing young people, we thank you and your team for your amazing help and support! Very best wishes, Mike Hawkins, Group Scout Leader, 2nd Wideopen (St John's) Scout Group - 04 Oct 19
I would just like to say a huge thank you on behalf of everyone at Woodley School and College, for our telescope which arrived this week. Our students and teachers are very excited to use it, and when doing so we will take photographs and tweet them ensuring we mention ‘Scopes4Sen’. If you are ever passing through Huddersfield you are more than welcome to visit our school and have a look around.
Thanks again, and I hope you manage to continue to offer such wonderful work.
Kind Regards, Emma Simpson, Woodley School and College, Huddersfield - 13 September 2019
Back at school yesterday. 'There are two parcels for you', said the Office. Funny, I thought, I am only expecting one.
Imagine my surprise when I found the telescope; an ideal teaching instrument for GCSE.
I'm seeing the group for the first time on Friday and I suspect that they will be rather excited....
Thank you! [I'll be on the scrounge again I am sure...]
James Salmon, Holmewood School - 04 September 2019
Our telescope arrived in the post today and the boys are absolutely over delighted with it, (no pun intended)
Thankyou so so much, they are looking forward to dark :-)
I have attacked a few pictures of them using it, they have watched a spider spin a web on the garden so far
We will be making a donation in due course!
Thank you, Regards , Zoe sparkes - Sent on behalf of lindon and keris sparkes
Thank you so much for the very quick arrival of the telescope. I haven’t had the chance to open it yet but I am very excited to do so! As soon as we are able to get some photos of the children and young people using the equipment we will post them on Facebook and share your website with it and another posts that are included with the telescope in future posts. We are closed next week for the week so we are spending this week getting ready for a week off so it maybe a little time before any photos are posted on our Facebook page but please do keep a look out for them in the near future!
Once again huge thanks for such a kind donation from all of us here at Aspired Futures.
Many Thanks and Kind Regards
Claire, Claire Buckley, Administration Officer, Aspired Futures
Just a massive thank you for the delivery of the spotter scope!
As of next week, I will be running some space-themed football games with the youth Ability Counts players at Parley, & they will get to rotate use of the scope for a week at a time, indefinitely.
I will send some pictures when it is up and running. Thank you again. My very best wishes, Rob Amey - Parley Sports Ability Counts
Our telescope arrived this afternoon safe and sound.
Many thanks from all of our Beaver Scouts for such a generous gesture.
We can’t wait for our sleepover later this year when they will all have a chance to explore our dark skies in North Northumberland. Best wishes, Christine Coleman
Thanks to Patrick and Joanna Poitevin for donating the telescope to Nightstop Wyre Forest. We are a small local charity that challenges and prevents youth homelessness and provides a family mediation service. It has been a joy to see one particular 10 year old learning how to use the telescope and hope that this will provide him with a new interest which he can share with his family and friends!
Thank you for the telescope it has arrived safely in school. We are already planning a star gazing evening on the back of this. Best wishes, Elizabeth Ward St Bede's RC Primary School
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the telescope. We received it and it's perfect.
Now that we have the telescope we are going to be organising a star gazing event in October. Everyone is really excited and looking forward to it.
Thanks once again Jenny Thorp Science Lead Latymer All Saints Primary School - 03 July 2019
Thank you soooo much. We received our telescope earlier in the week. We are already planning our stargazing night for the winter and will shout about you now and then. Thank you soooo much again.
Hannah and all at Bude Primary - 29 June 2019
Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful donation of a telescope for our school. Hopefully there will be many WOW moments to come...
Trevor Jarred - Enfield School 26 June 2019
Thank you so much! Our telescope arrived yesterday and looks amazing. I had no idea it would come so quickly. The timing is fab because I'm taking a year 5 group on a residential trip onto Dartmoor next week. I can't wait to try it up there.
Thanks again, I'll spread the word and best of luck with all your work.
Katharine Pemberton Modbury Primary School - June 2019
I am writing to confirm safe receipt of our telescope and I am amazed at just how quickly you were able to organise this.
On behalf of Freezywater St George's, I would like to send you and all those involved our thanks and appreciation . This will provide our children with new and deeper learning opportunities and increase their Science Capital.
I would also like to extend our gratitude to the companies who have facilitated this.
Many thanks Sandra Burt Science lead Freezywater St George's CE VA Primary School Hertford Road, Enfield, EN3 6NR - June 2019
All the scouts, leaders, and committee at KD6 Scout Group in Kidderminster want to thank you for your wonderful donation of a travel telescope – perfect for adventures and camping trips! Scouts can work towards an astronomy badge which includes identifying constellations and observing the moon, so your donation will be well used. Maybe we will discover a new star?! Best wishes for your future work, thank you again, Holly FerrisHolly Ferris - Treasurer, KD6 Scout Group, Kidderminster, Worcestershire - June 2019
Our Physics team is over the moon, as you predicted. We offer an astrophysics option as part of the A-Level so the telescope that arrived today will be brilliant for that.
It may be that a member of staff will offer amateur astronomy as an enrichment activity too.
Coincidentally (?) we have a couple of private candidates sitting GCSE Astronomy at our exam centre this summer. Life has some unexpected comings together when the stars are aligned, it seems.
Thank you so much. As I say, the staff are delighted and amazed.
Fiona Pocock - Principal at Bosworth Independent College
Dear Patrick, I just wanted to say a very big thank you for our telescope. It arrived this morning and I have just finished setting it up. I am sure that there will be many hours of fun and learning for the children using this. Already I have teachers excited about using it with individuals and I know that these children will gain a lot.
Many thanks for your kindness.
Louise Brisco and all of the children at Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Primary School - 01 April 2019
Good evening My school has received the telescope from you today Thank you for the nicest gesture someone has ever done for us As I had promised I will get in touch with the relevant agencies and I will ask them to contact you if possible Kind regards Mihaela, Mab’s Cross Primary, Wigan
Good evening Patrick Poitevin we received 2 telescopes the APSC Managment want to thank you for your amazing great humanitarian work. You are making a big impact on our young people education. Thank you very much. Kind regards AValentim
Thank you so much for the telescopes. We are absolutely delighted with them. We are currently working out how to use them, so we know how to show the children. We are so grateful for your support and helping us change the lives of children in hospital. Best wishes Fiona
Fiona O'Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager Edinburgh Children@s Hospital Charity - 11 February 2019
Hi Patrick, Just wanted to pass on my thanks for the donation of the telescopes, they really are fantastic and the children and young people will love having a go with them. Thank you Best Wishes Stacey
Stacey Curzon, Youth Worker, Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, Lark Rise, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2HS - 04 February 2019
Dear Patrick and Joanne - I thought you might like to see these pictures of our stargazing event last week. I am the wife of Dr Ger Graus who put us in touch and you subsequently donated two telescopes to Arbourthorne Primary and Gleadless Primary in Sheffield.
I contacted the University of Sheffield and we welcomed Astronomer James Wild to share his knowledge and teach us how to get the best from the telescopes with our children.
We had the most fantastic evening! We are now planning a summer stargazing camp out later in the year.
My sincere thanks for your kindness and generosity. You helped to make many children (and adults) very happy indeed! With very best wishes
Vanessa Langley, Executive Headteacher, Arbourthorne Community Primary School, Gleadless Primary School - 30 January 2019
Thank you very much Patrick we received the telescopes yesterday - they are already unpacked ! Thank you again for such a great resource Thank you Claire
Claire McKenna, Manchester Secondary PRU - 22 January 2019
It was a genuine pleasure and well worth the drive. What a beautiful village and location Tissington is. Thank you once again. I was able to share the scopes with the children in assembly and there are a host of budding astrologers eager to make the most out of them! Many Thanks
Hannah Binns, Stalmine Primary School, Poulton-le-Fylde - 21 January 2019
Sorry to be so long acknowledging receipt of the amazing telescope. My wife and I were able to put it together yesterday and had a fabulous view of the moon!
Now we can make it work we are going to involve the children.
Thank you so much for the very generous funding that provided the telescope.
Nigel Steele - Acting Head Teacher, Trinity Christian School in Reading, 13 January 2019
Huge thank you Patrick. Pupils love them. Genuinely can't thank you enough for your generous gift
Ian Roberts, Kensale school, 23 Sep 2018
On behalf of the children, staff and governors I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation of the two travel scopes and the PS1000 telescopes that you have kindly given to the school.
Judith, the member of staff who collected the scopes was absolutely blown away when she realised the size and quality of them. They will make a huge difference to the children when they are undertaken field work, I hope our knowledge of the curriculum will not do the scopes an injustice! (On a plus a member of our team is an astrophysicist!)
Thank you once again. I am sure we will not be the only school who will be humbled by your generosity.
Tracy Blackwell, Head teacher, Hartington C of E Primary School - 01 October 2018
Just a quick note to say a huge thanks for the telescopes which arrived today… They look absolutely amazing and will be a brilliant resource for Space Week and other events…
Have you got a postal address we can send a letter of thanks to please?
Abigail Stein, Programme Manager, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity
Please accept our sincere and heartfelt thanks for generously donating telescopes to Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity. It was so kind of you to think of the children in the hospital with this gift.
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Kirsten Sinclair - Director of Fundraising, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity - 27 August 2018
Dear Patrick and Joanne, how can we thank you enough for your amazing work in providing our SEN children with such amazing equipment. My apologies for this message coming to you a week after receiving the telescopes. I wasn’t in school on the day the parcel arrived and my headteacher was away in Shropshire with her ill father ........so.......things were delayed. I sent an email and this morning it came back!!!! So, I am writing to you via LinkedIn. We are so excited about next term’s work. I’ll be honest, it’s a new venture for us but one that is full of challenges. I think the way forward for us is if I find a suitable SEN expert who can get us started. We have a sleepover in the winter term and this will be such a fabulous addition to the whole experience. I will endeavour to keep you posted. I’m sending this message on behalf of myself and Gillian, the headteacher who is with her father now. Our sincere thanks and good wishes to you both, Carrie and Gillian.
St Anns School London - 16 July 2018
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the telescopes- they are amazing. I plan on using them initially with our nurture group. This is a group of SEN children with varied learning and physical difficulties. They are currently doing a project on planets and this will mean the world to them.
Kind regards
Lisa Burke - Moorside High School, Werrington, Staffordshire 30 June 2018
The telescopes arrived today - thanks so much! Can't wait to get them up and running!
Leila Stayton-Dyke, Early Action for Autism, Haywards Heath 27 June 2018
They have arrived, thank you again. I have already had two autistic children come and have a look at them. They said their dream is to see Jupiter and have been suggesting ideas for a star gazing evening.
Bryony McGregor - Combe Pafford School, Torquay Devon 13 June 2018
Thank you so much for the telescopes and equipment you donated to our school. The students and staff are extremely grateful and are making good use of all the resources.
Sarah Wilson - High Grange School, Mickleover Derbyshire 6 June 2018
We have started to unpack and look at our wonderful telescopes and are really excited about the opportunities that they will provide.
I will send you an update for your website very soon.
We really can’t believe how generous you have been and are very appreciative of this opportunity for our young people.
Everything has arrived in excellent condition.
Julia Clouter - Linden Centre (Primary) Carpenter Centre, Overdale Telford 5 June 2018
The telescopes are wonderful! The kids will love them. Thankyou so much. I'll start my astronomy club in autumn so will send you some pictures. Massive thanks again Jon.
Jon Green Teacher of SEN, Newsome High School 31 May 2018
We recently received a very kind donation of one of your telescopes together with a spotter scope for which I would like to extend our grateful thanks. Scouting aims to provide Skills for Life and we work with young people from across a range of backgrounds and abilities. Our programme includes awareness of the world around us and these telescopes will be made available to all Scout Groups in Eastleigh District to support their programmes. In particular I hope that they can be taken to camps to allow indoor based knowledge to be turned into reality through study of the night sky.
Our thanks to your charity for this donation.
Regards Dick
Dick Whittington, District Commissioner, Eastleigh Scouts 15 May 2018
Thank you so much for your delivery. They arrived today. Can't wait to use them.
Kelly McKeague Crynallt primary Neath 30 April 2018
The 2 telescopes have just arrived. Thank you so much.
My class were very excited when they found out what was in the boxes.
Can’t wait for it to go dark!
Paul Worsdale, North Ridge High School Manchester - 19 April 2018
Thank you so much Patrick you have made my daughter so happy she loves science especially space xxx
Rebecca Walker, Loughborough - 13 April 2018
Thank you so much Patrick, I have cc’d in our science teachers as they will be delighted I’m sure.
Kind Regards
Aoife (Pron' Eefa) O'Connor, Activity Centre Manager, The Children's Hospital School at Great Ormond Street and UCH - 09 April 2018
You recently sent me a ExploraScope 114AZ telescope, which has been well received by the pupils at North Primary School in Kirkcaldy. It has certainly created a buzz. We are currently arranging to collaborate with a group of amateur astronomers from a local high school, who might be able to offer advice, guidance and instruction on how best to operate this wonderful piece of equipment, which is fantastic. You mentioned in a previous email that you might be in a position to send an additional telescope, if the need arose. I think we will soon be at this point. If this is not possible, that is equally fine. Your initial gesture is still fabulous, and will prove to be a huge asset to the school and our children.
Matthew Ritchie, North Primary School, Nelson Kirkcaldy FIFE Scotland - 20 March 2018
Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity. It’s such a lovely thing you are doing and we are very grateful!
Jo Benfield, Hospital & Home Education Learning Centre, Nottingham - 20 March 2018
Thank you so much for the telescopes for St Luke's C of E and Biggin Primary schools.
It was great to meet you on Friday. I am amazed at your hard work managing the operation and commitment to get the telescopes into schools. I will definitely spread the word! You made light of it when we met but without your foresight and effort it wouldn't happen - we are so grateful.
We'll be using the telescopes immediately after the Easter holidays at St Luke's but Biggin may decide to wait until I start at the school in September (though I'll try to persuade them to explore before then!). Either way rest assured they'll get plenty of use.
Thanks again for this fantastic opportunity.
Teresa Nicholls Science Lead St Luke's C of E Primary - 18 March 2018
While on a course, a friend recommended your website and couldn't have had more praise for how wonderful and generous your service was. I know you're likely very busy and underfunded, but we're interested in whatever resources you can provide. We have no telescopes in the school, and only use one very strong birding lens to demonstrate some of what looking through a telescope is like.
I love space, and I wish to pass this love onto our students who sometimes find the material a bit dry. Due to various learning needs, practicals really help cement the learning and get their interest in a way worksheets just can't. Of course, since this is a passion project of yours, I'm sure you understand.
Thank you for everything you've done and the thousands of schools and centres you've helped. I hope that the planets align so that Selly Oak Trust can be one of them as well.
Trina Luciano, Selly Oak Trust School, Birmingham West Midlands - 16 March 2018
Thank you so much for all the excellent astro kit - the three scopes will be so important to the ongoing work that is being undertaken with the Care Home / Care Leaver young people.
Jan Reynolds and Nick Spall - 10 March 2018
Dear Patrick and Joanne
Thank you for your time and expertise the stargazing evening was a big success. Thank you for your generous donation of the three AstroMaster telescopes. Thank you for delivering the event, everyone loved it. We have had some great feedback from several people who commented on how engaging your talk was. From the event we raised just over five hundred pounds which will help us to support very deserving children from not only Derbyshire but from the rest of the UK as well, to enjoy a week of essencial respite, far away from the challenges they face in their home environment.
Thank you once again for your wonderful donation. I look forward to updating you on the difference your support has made in due course. You are always welcome to come and visit us.
Matt Nickson, Regional Fundraiser, CHICKS Daleside Retreat - March 2018
Wow - thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation! We are buzzing with ideas about how the telescopes can be used by the young people across the whole school, in the teaching centres and the hospitals. We will keep you updated with news of how we are getting on.
Claire Brown, Management Support Officer, James Brindley School - 08 March 2018
Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you for all your determination and effort in enabling so many young people the opportunity to gaze into the sky and explore our solar system. I believe that opportunities like this are essential in any young persons development and not only encourages an interest in science but builds their aspirations, imagination and knowledge.
Emma Stuchbury, Youth Worker, Targeted Support For Young People, WCC, Lillington Youth Centre - 06 March 2018
Patrick and Joanne, Thank you so much for your kind gift of the telescope. We were delighted with it and will definitely be putting it to good use with the students, it isn’t often we get such a useful piece of equipment so thank you again. It gives us the opportunity to make such an abstract concept more realistic for the students.
Lesley Dunkerley, Head of Science Newbridge Group School - 28 February 2018
Hi Patrick and Joanne. Telescopes have already reaped dividends for young fella with a range of issues. He was tasked with assembling the telescopes (a work in progress) and the positives he has taken from this has been massive already.
Dean Scott, Burntisland Primary School - 23 February 2018
Dear Patrick and Scopes4SEN, Thank you so much for the wonderful telescope you have given to St Christopher's Special School. It is simply marvellous to give the young people of St Christopher's the opportunity to enjoy the marvels of the sky. Many thanks and Kind Regards,
Maxine Pittaway, MBE - Headteacher St Christopher's School - 26 February 2018
Hi Patrick & Joanne Thank you so much for this lovely gesture. You can be assured we will put this telescope to very good use. It will provide a fantastic opportunity to children who might not otherwise have had access to this. It will also open up a window to a universe the children have not yet explored. I can’t wait to see the reaction of the children when they have the opportunity to use this wonderful resource. Once again, thank you so much for this very kind gesture. Will make a donation in due course. Have a great day!
Matthew Ritchie, North Primary School - 24 February 2018
Hi Patrick, Thank you so much for the telescope you sent. Kind regards,
Rachel Woodbridge, Youth Club Support & Training Young People First - 20 February 2018
Our telescope arrived and we love it. My Science and Art Teachers are excited to get it out and test it
Shaun Jarvis, WSAPC Littlehampton - 20 February 2018
Wow Patrick , we find it hard to believe that this is genuine. Special schools don’t usually get this generosity . We all thank you so much. Ange. - 18 February 2018
Many ,many thanks Patrick . Head teachers were chuffed. Children are thrilled and excited . Ange
Ange Anderson, Ysgol Pen Coch - 20 February 2018
Hi Patrick, Pitcheroak school received the telescope and accompanying materials today. The students will be very grateful for your donation of the equipment, and I am sure will put it to great to use in their science lessons and other associated curriculum activities.
Thank you for your kind generosity. Regards
David Lockyer, Pitcheroak School - 14 February
Dear Patrick, Just to say thank you so, so much for the telescopes etc that you sent to Unicorn Nursery. They are fantastic and the children are thrilled with them. I have passed you details on to as many people I could think off. Thanks again,
Deborah Tesseyman, Unicorn Nursery - 13 February 2018
Hi Patrick Thank you so much for the telescope, I’ve put it in my lab. The first thing one of our young people said ‘can I borrow it’, so I was wondering if it would be possible if we could have a couple more telescopes which we could loan out to some of our older young people who have expressed an interest in space.
Could I also ask for some more solar shades or sunoculars as our young people are keen to look at the next solar eclipse. Reagrds
Jo Chadwick, Priory Group - 07 February 2018
This evening we had our bonfire/star gazing night at school. Our star gazing club team all attended and although it was pretty cloudy, they enjoyed using the telescopes at night time. We also had two dads and a husband of one of our teachers bring their telescopes along and of course their fantastic knowledge! The year one children who attended the evening as part of their 'Who's hiding in the dark?' Topic, also had great fun experiencing the telescopes and the binoculars. It was a very successful evening for all! (Of course the sparklers and hot chocolate helped with the enjoyment!!)
Claire Hawkins Summerlea 01 November 2016
I just wanted to touch base about our star gazing club! We have 24 9-11years attending the club. We've had a range of activities for the children to experience. They've all got their very own book which they've all decorated and personalised and each week they add a new constellation drawing and facts. This week the children made bottle rockets and we tried to fly them with a mixture of explosive vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
My colleague went on a star gazing course organised by Chichester planetarium. Her new gained knowledge is helping to teach our very keen learners.
Each week a child is selected to take the telescope home and then the children have fed back to the rest of the group what they have discovered. Some of the children have made PowerPoint presentations, brought in photographs and information about the stars they have seen.
At the beginning of November our year one children are having a bonfire night at school (they're learning about nocturnal animals and Guy Fawkes) Our star gazing club are also invited along to use the telescope alongside a couple of parents ones, ipad star apps etc to enjoy some star gazing at night time.
Claire Hawkins Summerlea 20 October 2016
I have finally got my year nine group out into the school grounds to make some solar observations and we had good success. Unfortunately when I got the photos on my desk top, I remembered one of the students is not allowed to be photographed so I photo shopped him an Iron man mask.
Mark Liquorish St Martins 06 July 2016
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Ilda Romero organised in aid of Scopes4SEN the Intergalactic Bake-off on 24 November 2016 - £147.5
| intergalactic_bake-off_for_scopes4sen_2016nov.mp4 |
NewsFeed Scopes4SEN December 2016
| newsfeedscopes4sen2016december.pdf |
| scopes4sen20170722.pdf |
| scopes4sen20171028.pdf |
