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Lego bosses are donating a pile of building bricks in support of a Harlow school’s unique therapy sessions.

Freshwaters Primary Academy, in School Lane, uses Lego Therapy to boost children’s social skills by challenging them to complete a construction together.

In groups of three, children take on roles of architect, builder and supplier. Once the architect has designed a building, they must use their communication skills to describe their plans to the builder. The builder must then use their listening skills before establishing what materials – Lego bricks – they will need and put in their order with the supplier.

After an appeal for the donation of bricks, the school had a surprise offer – from Lego itself.

Nicola Daglish, soft goods business manager at Lego, said: “We would like to send your school a Lego school charity kit that includes bricks and instructions.

“As a business, we really support the idea of recycling bricks for great causes like you are asking people to do as it spreads the joy of building to other children who might not have the opportunity to do so and it helps our planet promise to reduce the effect on the environment.”

Ms Daglish is also giving a talk at the school next month, to inspire children to work towards career goals.

Head of school Marios Solomonides is a huge supporter of the therapy project and is delighted with the support from Lego.

He said: “We are constantly trying to find new uses for things and try to use what we have rather than spend tax-payers’ money when we don’t have to. We also rely a great deal on the generosity of others in the community, mainly our supportive parents.

“We are extremely grateful Lego would like to send us a school charity kit. We will make excellent use of it!”

The school was even offered a cleaning tip from the Lego boss – to put secondhand bricks into a pillowcase, tie it tightly and put them in the washing machine on a low heat.