News
Short Breaks Project
What we offer !!
Monday to Friday residential weeks (2nd - 6th August and 9th-13th August 2010) for 10 boys between the ages of 10 - 16 years who have a statement of SEN, Be in receipt of, or eligible for middle-high rate disability living allowance, exhibit challenging behaviour and have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (High Functioning).
Our aim is to provide a fun short break which will include a wide range of activities enabling the young person to develop self confidence, self esteem, social skills and improve their independence and life skills. A vast range of activities throughout the week including community based activities from fishing to climbing which will be dependent upon the needs and interests of the young people selected
What you can expect from us !!
All staff are experienced and are trained in working with young people with a diagnosis of ADHD and ASD who exhibit challenging behaviour.
Young people will be visited at home by 2 staff from the scheme and a series of familiarisation visits to the residential unit will be arranged prior to the start of the break. We will work together with the young people, families and professionals to provide the best possible care and break for each individual young person.
• Respite break for parents and carers
• Social skills development to foster positive relationships between the young people
• An opportunity for parents to attend workshops run by our therapeutic team
• Homely residential unit with individual bedrooms and a large activity room with gym equipment, table tennis and pool table
• Key working system to improve relationships and enable regular feedback to and from the young people and their families
For further information you can contact us:
Claire Bryant or Alan Tomlinson
shortbreaks@grafham-grange.co.uk Tel: 01483 891100 Fax: 01483 894407
Grafham Grange Sports News
Recent Ofsted Inspection for Both Trust Schools Return Very Positive Results...
Brantridge School was inspected by Education and Social Care Ofsted on the 2nd and 3rd of February 2010 and the inspection returned an overall judgement of Good with the Social Welfare provision being seen as Outstanding for the third year running. Excerpts from Ofsted Report for Brantridge School;
“Brantridge is a good School. The boarding provision and the care, guidance and support that staff provide for pupils’ personal development are excellent. Safeguarding procedures are exemplary and ensure the school is a safe and secure environment in which the vast majority of pupils make rapid improvement. The quality of the boarding provision is outstanding in all areas.
Pupils attainment is broadly in line with that expected because they make good progress and achieve well. This enables them to move successfully into the next stage of their education, sometimes in a mainstream school.
Behaviour is good and parents are pleased with the school and the positive effect it has on their children.
Teachers establish very good relationships with their pupils and these are the basis of the excellent guidance and support for pupils’ personal development. The School’s system for tracking pupils’ progress against the challenging academics targets which have been set are rigorous and robust.
The Headteacher provides a very clear vision for how the provision should develop and the determination to implement it. She is well supported by her Deputy and Head of Care.
The governing body is very supportive of the school and is effective in holding the school to account.
The high quality of the residential provision is crucial in helping pupils to realise the benefits of managing their own behaviour. ………’I now get up early to get to lessons where before (coming to Brantridge) I wasn’t bothered and stayed in bed all day’.
The curriculum has a good balance of academic and vocational opportunities. It has the flexibility necessary to respond quickly to pupils’ needs and these changes are much appreciated by pupils and contribute significantly to raising their self esteem.
Care, guidance and support are excellent and are the cornerstone for pupils’ personal development.
The School works well with parents and a wide range of agencies.
The School’s senior management team provides most effective leadership and stability and members have established a culture that analyses and promotes best practice in all areas.
A stable, skilled and committed team of care staff provides a consistently excellent quality of care. The promotion of equality and diversity is outstanding, lying at the heart of their practice, in clear recognition of the varied and complex needs of the young people.
The School works closely with specialists such as psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists. …..
Staff training is comprehensive and very regularly updated and all are clear about their role and responsibilities in child protection. Young people are further protected by a robust and thorough recruitment procedure.
The School has a designated member of staff who ensures that close liaison and support is offered to parents and carers. This is underpinned by regular contact between each boarder’s home and their key worker.”
Grafham Grange School was inspected by Social Care Ofsted on the 10th and 11th of February 2010 and the inspection returned an overall judgement of Good with several outstanding features. Excerpts from Ofsted Report for Grafham Grange School;
“The Staff provide the children with excellent support and encourage the pupils with their education and interests.
The health of the young people both physically and emotionally is valued and promoted to a very good standard.
Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do - The provision is outstanding
The residential contribution to promoting education for the pupils is a strength of the school.
The sharing of information between education and care staff ensures young people are given the practical and emotional support they need.
Pupils speak very positively about the support and care that they receive from the staff team. One pupil reported ‘It’s easier to learn here than all the other schools I’ve been to’
Pupils are given opportunities to experience events and occasions which enrich and develop their progress……
Helping Children make a positive contribution – The provision is outstanding.
The admission of new pupils and the process of transition and moving on, are areas which are carefully thought through. These processes involve multidisciplinary input including teaching, medical, care and therapeutic staff.
Achieving economic wellbeing – the provision is outstanding.
The quality of the premises is maintained to an outstanding level.
The pupils have their cultural needs met by individualised care, planning and review processes which highlight and guide staff to meet the wishes of the pupils themselves.
The staff said they feel supported and happy with the extensive training they are now offered. ………
The school has an overall comprehensive system in place for the monitoring of practice and safety issues.”
Development at Brantridge School
Extensive development work has been undertaken at Brantridge to support the increase in the pupil roll to 41. This has included the creation of wonderful new sleeping and dayroom facilities and bathrooms. Outside, we have been busy resurfacing the car park and our playground with exciting new markings to support adventurous play! Our New Administration office provides a welcoming reception for all who live and work in the building and those who visit us. Our warm appreciation goes to all who have masterminded the work which has brought significant improvements to our facilities. Applied Curriculum Statement - Grafham Grange School
The applied curriculum at Grafham Grange School provides years 9, 10 and 11 with work related training opportunities in a positive learning environment in which confidence is encouraged, skills developed and success achieved.
At Grafham we understand the needs of our students providing appropriate encouragement and support through individual programmes designed to develop Applied Curriculum skills alongside personal and social skills.
The transition from school to college, training and employment is enhanced by providing students with:
High quality work related learning and training opportunities in Construction which includes:
- Bricklaying, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing, Woodwork and Horticulture
- Food Technology
- The ASDAN Programme (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network)
- The opportunity to develop portfolios of work and progress files
- Personal guidance and support, including input from the connexions service
- Appropriate work experience
- An atmosphere that support learning and encourages regular attendance building self confidence
It is the schools intention to extend this service and to offer a wider range of options for students. This will not inhibit their ability to access the GCSE program.