Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Dame Vera Lynn School for Parents

Background

  1. Opened in 1992, The Dame Vera Lynn School for Parents in West Sussex leads the way in Conductive Education for pre-school children with cerebral palsy. It has been called “A Centre of Excellence” by OFSTED.
  2. It is now run by The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy, a registered charity which aims to ensure that this service is always available to families affected by cerebral palsy.
  3. The School for Parents brings Conductive Education specifically to the under 5s, and has on-site accommodation for those families that have to travel to attend. Whilst currently serving mostly London and the Home Counties for logistic reasons, it is available to all families irrespective of geographic location, financial status or ethnic origin.
  4. The Service is financed entirely by voluntary contributions.

The Dame Vera Lynn School for Parents at Ingfield Manor is accessed via a smart and roomy reception area which accommodates the team’s Secretary.

The siblings playroom is situated off the reception area it is superbly equipped and has a wealth of toys. French windows lead to an outside play area, which is used extensively in the summer months.

- School Play Area (with Accommodation Block) and Siblings Playroom -



- Classroom activities -

The main teaching areas comprise two classrooms, one larger than the other, each fully equipped with the specialist equipment necessary to ensure that Conductive Education methods can be practiced. Each room has a viewing room, with a one-way mirror where staff can sit and take training notes and parents, grandparents and family friends can watch all activities carried out in the classroom. The rooms include a Clean Area with washing facilities.

The comfortably furnished living accommodation is nearby; it has a television and video amongst it’s amenities. There are kitchen facilities including an oven, microwave and fridge with an adjacent laundry room.

The Head of Early Years’ office is opposite the classrooms, as is the team office and the staff kitchen. These adjoin a semi-enclosed administration area and open-plan meeting area with a table and chairs; a good place for a cup of tea for our visitors.

A small office is used for interviewing new families in friendly and private surroundings.