Percy Hedley Foundation

Physiotherapy

At Percy Hedley School, the Physiotherapy Department is staffed by a team of specialist physiotherapists, who are responsible for the planning, delivery and evaluation of high quality programmes to promote the physical management of pupils. This may be through assessment, group work, physical education, hydrotherapy and individual therapy using mainly a neuro-developmental approach. The physiotherapists collaborate with all other disciplines in the school to improve practice and raise pupil achievement.

Physiotherapists work in the classroom as members of an integrated team, to provide a consistent, structured approach to the physical management of the pupils throughout the school day. The motor task programmes for learning to change position and place, and for learning to promote standing and walking provide the bases for the work of the physiotherapist but opportunities are grasped so that learning can take place in functional settings. The physiotherapist supports the team, gives advice on good facilitation of movement and on moving and handling.

Group work also takes place for the pupils with speech and language difficulties with the physiotherapist taking responsibility for identifying those pupils who would benefit from a physiotherapeutic approach to their movement disorder and providing a structured programme in a small group setting.

While most of the work done with the pupils will be within the classroom environment and will be functionally based, individual therapy may be necessary for some pupils. This may be for assessment purposes, rehabilitation after surgery, video-recording or to identify and work on a particular aspect of development. Withdrawal of a pupil from class is arranged in collaboration with the class team.

The physiotherapist working in the class team plans and provides physical education for the pupils with cerebral palsy and speech and language impairment. The National Curriculum programmes of study are followed as closely as possible and modified accordingly to give all pupils a wide experience of gymnastics, games, dance, outdoor activities and athletics. Pupils are encouraged to participate in competitions at local, regional and national level particularly in athletics and boccia. This is supported by the Percy Hedley Sports Club, which takes place on one evening each week, for secondary pupils. Recognised schemes of work such as the Persil Funfit Gymnastics and the Ten Step Athletics Award are used to accredit this work.

All physiotherapists are experienced in the Halliwick Method of Swimming Therapy, which allows pupils to develop water confidence, control of their body in the water and then learn to swim. Pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 have timetabled access to the hydrotherapy pool. Speech and language pupils at Key Stage 2 are able to go on to access swimming lessons at the local swimming pool.

Special arrangements are made to accommodate pupils who require hydrotherapy after orthopaedic surgery, or for relaxation and reduction of increased muscle tone.

At Percy Hedley, physiotherapists always maintain a close partnership with' parents of pupils in school, and will provide advice, support and information as requested. Home visits are offered to parents to give advice on practical home management.

All physiotherapists are trained trainers in moving and handling. Regular training courses ensure that all staff have up to date knowledge of techniques and are responsible for their own spinal awareness.