The children and young people live in one of four self contained houses, each with a dining room, lounge, two adapted bathrooms, single and  twin bedrooms. These are supported for by 13 qualified and experienced care staff on a rota covering all 7 days of the week.

The typical day starts at 7 am and ends at  bedtime, which varies depending on the age of the young person. After school the children return to their house for a drink and relaxation before dinner, after which the young people will choose the play activities they wish to engage in before bath time and bed.

The children have all their meals in their house. The school chef provides nutritional and healthy meals using local and fresh organic ingredients wherever possible, all prepared in our on-site kitchen.

At the weekends the children typically join in local events, go shopping or play with their friends. In school holidays daily activities are planned to keep everyone busy and entertained. The majority of our children spend some time  at home during the holidays, and this is arranged in close liaison with their family and keyworker.

Families can come and stay at Penhurst – we have a two bedroomed ground floor flat where the children can stay with their family and enjoy private space and time, with the facilities of Penhurst available at all times.

Penhurst have a team of 3.5 nurses who work with local GPs and hospitals. Our nurses are available either on site or on call, and Penhurst has long established good links with local hospitals. One GP from a local practice provides – a weekly clinic at Penhurst and is the main initial contact in the event of illness. The nurses  arrange for the children to attend hospital for medical appointments

We employ specialist therapists to provide speech therapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy in our own pool, occupational therapy, and music therapy. They work with the houses and school to incorporate therapy into everyday activities and life.

Penhurst School has been a hive of activity over the past few weeks.

Arts Week 

     Earth, wind, fire and water provided the theme of Arts Week 2010. Action for Children Penhurst School joined together with 26 Year 9 students from Chipping Norton School on Monday 17^th until Friday 21^st May.  Penhurst hosted an imaginative and varied programme of events designed to provide learning opportunities with a difference for students from both schools.  The students from Chipping Norton School joined us at Penhurst for the week, supporting our students in the activities, which included a race with putt-putt boats, made from tin cans and powered by candles, in the hydrotherapy pool.

Other activities included indoor balloon rocket making, scented candle making, creating

wind chimes and spinning decorations with the help of Science Oxford.  We also had a

dance workshop, a different element based sensory story every day and made some

beautiful silk flags which we ran up our newly installed flagpoles bought specially for the

purpose.

Since the first Arts Week in 2001, our Arts Week has grown into a memorable and

enriching experience for everyone involved. It’s also a great opportunity for students from

both schools to make new friends.   It is a challenging week and everyone works really

hard but it is always worth the effort and the students from both schools work closely

together, having fun and learning valuable life skills.

Members of the local Albion Centre for adults with learning disabilities also joined us for

some of the activities and workshops.

 Arts Week concluded on Friday May 21 with guided tours of the workshops, a dance

performance and a magnificent Hog Roast.   The Arts Week grand finale was a brilliant

musical performance led by Penhurst School’s GAP students.We will also be welcoming

students from Chipping Norton School in July when they come to undertake their work

experience with us during the week beginning 5^th July.

Penhurst Conference 2010

On Thursday 10^th June we held the Penhurst Conference on the subject ‘Communication and PMLD Evidence Based Practice’, which was a huge success.  We had 75 delegates attend, as well as some Penhurst staff.  There were five professional speakers, including Professor Juliet Goldbart, Professor of Developmental Disabilities at Manchester Metropolitan University.  The whole day was organised by Janet Trebilcock, the Speech and Language Therapist, and supported by many members of Penhurst staff.  This unique biennial conference is always over-subscribed and we have a renowned international reputation in this field of work.

Congratulations Tobie

One of our local students, Tobie Sparks, has received the Dave Haigh Community Youth Award.  This is awarded to young members of the community who have done charitable works.   Tobie was nominated for his work with raising money for the Specialist Schools Application and taking part in raising money for the local Lawrence Home Nursing Team and Douglas House, and the support he lends to his friends and the others that he works with.  Tobie and his parents, friend and Tutor all attended the ceremony in Chipping Norton Town Hall to receive the award.  We are so proud of Tobie for receiving this well deserved recognition.

Congratulations Michael

We would also like to announce that Michael Ayton has received a ‘Kids in Care Award’.  Michael was nominated by Alistair McIntosh, his class teacher.  This Award is given by the London Borough of Hillingdon for exceptional achievement and progress since coming to Penhurst.  The Awards Ceremony is to be held on Friday 2^nd July at the Sofitel Hotel, Heathrow.  Well done Michael,

otel, Heathrow.

Artsmark Gold Award

We already have the Artsmark Silver Award from the Arts Council which we received in 2008.   We are now proud to say that the school has been awarded the Arts Mark Gold Award, in recognition of the outstanding work that the staff and pupils do in the creative arts and the progress we have made since 2008.  This is no mean feat and everyone involved has worked very hard to get this accolade. We will continue to strive to provide the very best education and learning opportunities for all of the pupils at Penhurst.

Care Quality Commission Registration

For some time now the senior managers have been working on an application for Adult Home Status.  The process is rigorous and, not only involved a great deal of paperwork, but included interviews and an inspection from the Care Quality Commission.  We are pleased to announce that we have now had confirmation that we are registered as an adult home, as well as a children’s home.