Dame Vera Lynn School for Parents
Comments from our most recent Ofsted Inspection
The School for Parents has been an established
feature of the school for many years. It has become recognised as
a leading exponent of Conductive
Education provision nationally. The School
for Parents continues to offer the sustained high quality of service
reported previously. It comprises an early intervention programme
for 50 pre-school children aged between one and five years, who have special
educational needs arising from cerebral palsy and physical and associated
disabilities.
The curriculum successfully combines the theory and practice of Conductive Education and the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum. A very experienced and well-qualified staff team work in partnership with parents, who attend with their children for regular weekly part-time sessions lasting up to two-and-a-half hours.
Staff plan in great detail, and devise very good programmes for the sessions. These are carefully matched to children's physical, communication and cognitive needs. Learning is very well supported through the use of activities, games and stories based on a topic for each term. Parents and children learn together in age and needs-related groups. Teaching is good, and draws its main strength from the close co-operation and expertise of the staff team. The support offered to parents is excellent.
A variety of tasks and activities, with relevant resources, are presented to maintain children's interest and motivation; for example, in one session, puppets and mirrors were used to encourage children in their breathing and articulation. Session leaders use a good range of books and these are selected well to meet the needs of children with visual impairment. A good multi-sensory approach is used, with every opportunity taken by staff to extend children's communication skills, and to reinforce the Early Learning Goals. Very good use is made of music and singing to assist children's speaking and listening skills.
Parents have nothing but praise for the high quality of service and support that the staff provide.
The School for Parents offers an excellent training programme on a network basis to other parent centres for Conductive Education. These sessions are meticulously planned and prepared, and are carefully evaluated.
Office for Standards in Education Crown copyright @2001
Short inspection of Ingfield Manor School: Inspection no. 197158
26-27 June, 2001