Ofsted has once again rated Treloar School’s residential provision as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas of its recent inspection.

This result continues the ‘Outstanding’ rating across the board for Treloar’s – for the quality of education in the School and College, and a CQC rating of ‘Outstanding’ for its care and residential provision.

The inspectors spent three days at the school in March, carrying out one of the last inspections before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

According to the report, Ofsted were impressed that:

“Children make exceptional progress as a result of spending time in the residential provision. They thrive because of the trusting relationships that they have with staff. They feel understood and cared for by staff who know them well and who are sensitive to their needs.

The use of technology to support communication and independence is innovative and the school is at the forefront of practice in this area. Children flourish through an aspirational focus on their independence. Children exceed expectations; they become confident that their disability does not define them, and that they are able to achieve and be all that they can be.

The management team has an excellent understanding of the needs and experiences of the children accessing the residential service, and has excellent oversight of children’s plans and progress. This insight is well-informed by the close partnership work of the school’s multidisciplinary team.”

Principal Martin Ingram is incredibly proud to be awarded the ‘Outstanding’ grade once again, he said:

“I am so pleased that Ofsted has recognised the commitment and professionalism of our staff and the determination and talent of our students.”

Helen Goodenough, Head of Residential Services, was similarly delighted:

“It is tremendous that Ofsted have identified so many key strengths and that staff and students feel so well-supported.

As House Manager, Julie Bodnar, who was singled out by inspectors, has developed a truly inspirational team.”

The full report can be viewed on the Treloar’s website (www.treloar.org.uk) or Ofsted (www.ofsted.gov.uk).

From Monday 9 March until Friday 13 March, Treloar’s hosted their annual Good Posture Week which is led by the teams of therapists as an initiative to improve knowledge and skills around good posture for students, the majority of whom use a wheelchair.

The week involves teaching sessions, fun activities and training on the importance of good posture. This year’s theme was “good posture when I am out of my wheelchair”, with key messages shared throughout the week.

Good posture for the students of Treloar’s can make significant differences to student’s functional abilities, for example it can enable them to talk more clearly or use their AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices. It can also reduce the likelihood of pain and disruption for students if they are properly positioned through the day and night.

Throughout the week, all equipment used by students was carefully reviewed and optimised to support their needs. Students also received therapy-led teaching sessions in the classrooms, adapted to meet their individual needs. There was a strong focus on self-advocacy, as well as improving understanding of the importance of posture management & equipment used to achieve this.

In order to ensure students and staff are fully up-to-date on good posture practice, training sessions were carried out for student support assistants (SSAs).

The specialist speech and language therapists also developed equipment information books to help students to understand the equipment they need to support them on a day to day basis.

This allows students to know why they might be recommended for a particular piece of equipment, and what to do if they have a problem with it. It also enables students to make more informed decisions about their own posture management.

In addition to lessons and training, Good Posture Week is also about allowing the students to have fun while they learn.

Activities included a “selfie-station” where students demonstrate good and bad posture with fun props, and some students were supported to learn about the different parts and names of pieces of their equipment through a fun game of “Chair Hunt” by looking for all the parts needed to build a wheelchair.

There was also a sing-along of “This Body of Mine” to the tune of “This Little Light of Mine”. Students were encouraged to point to the favourite parts of their bodies, developing their understanding and vocabulary for naming body parts which helps them to communicate when they are in pain or uncomfortable.

Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist Catherine Morse said of the week:

“Good Posture Week was born from the importance of recognising that posture is essential to our students’ wellbeing and makes a fundamental difference to their everyday life.

It is an opportunity for staff to stay up to date with best practice and equipment, and for students to take responsibility for their posture.”

When asked if posture is important, one student summed it up with “Absolutely! Good posture now will help our bodies stay healthy and strong for the rest of our lives.”