The Cedar School

The Cedar School is a purpose built school for physically disabled children aged between 3 and 16 years. The children placed in the school may have a range of additional needs varying in complexity. These might include sensory impairments (e.g. hearing impairment, visual/perceptual difficulties). The children have a variety of disabilities - cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spina bifida being the most common. Moreover, the severity of the disability varies greatly, as does the level of academic ability. Some children are completely mobile, others are totally confined to a wheelchair and have limited muscular control.

The school is organised using an inter-disciplinary team approach. Senior members of staff form the management team, and each department of the school holds regular planning meetings at which all disciplines are represented. There are three teaching departments within the school: nursery, primary and secondary; each with a team leader who is responsible for the day to day running of the department. A broad and balanced curriculum is offered using the National Curriculum as a framework. The curriculum is differentiated to address individual special needs whatever these might be. Independence and motor education form part of our core curriculum. Every child has an individual education plan which is regularly reviewed at inter-disciplinary team meetings.

Links have been established with mainstream schools and senior pupils attend Oaklands Community School as part of their education when appropriate. In order to provide children with the best possible chance of self reliance and independence, every effort is made to treat the disability as well as to seek ways of compensating for it. To this end, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are provided on the premises and there is close liaison with, and regular visiting by the school medical officer. Trained medical staff administer drugs and medicines as prescribed and are on permanent call should any emergencies arise. They also provide information and advice to parents on medical management.