Greenmead takes an integrated therapy approach, meaning therapy is embedded in everything the pupils do throughout their school day. The Greenmead Therapy Team are made up of 3 main disciplines and work in a multi-disciplinary way with our specialist teachers, classroom leaders and support staff to integrate therapy into the school day, in a way that maximises opportunities for all pupils to work on their therapy goals alongside their curriculum.
All pupils at Greenmead have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and where therapy provision is part of that plan pupils will have an allocated therapist who is responsible for how this is implemented. This will be in partnership with and taking into account the views of teachers and parents through termly target setting and Individual Education Plans (IEPs). This is based on the identified needs of the pupil which may mean that input is not required by all 3 disciplines. However, this is reviewed at least annually and advice and support is available from all disciplines for all pupils. There will be some therapeutic provision that cannot be integrated or requires a different approach and this specialist support will also be timetabled by the therapist and class teacher in order to ensure that the pupil is working on their priorities at that given time.
They are based in school and are either full or part time.
Our Therapy team has strong links with other agencies including social care, acute services, community teams and other specialist services. We jointly work with these services on site to offer the following clinics:
• Feeding clinic
• Wheelchair clinic
• Orthotic clinic
• Orthopaedic clinic
Therapy is based upon an integrated and holistic approach. Therapy programs are implemented throughout the day and across the curriculums thus maximising opportunities to work on them. As such, we aim for the child’s therapeutic and educational needs to be imbedded within our curriculums to ensure that our pupil’s receive the best possible support to reach their potential.
We combine input from our specialist therapy team with support from our therapy assistants and class staff. Our input may involve both direct and indirect support. Indirect support would involve consultation and liaison with other professionals, attendance of meetings and reviews, report writing and joint target setting and providing therapy programmes.
We support our pupils in the following ways:
• Working directly with children in 1:1, paired or group sessions
• Working indirectly to support therapy assistants and class staff to carry out therapy programs
• Providing training and support to educational staff and families
• Providing focused group support to pupils with similar needs
• Provide home support to our pupils and their families
Each child’s therapeutic needs will change over time, and as a result the type of support and intensity of support will also change. However any changes that occur are agreed in consultation with parents.
Feeding Clinic is facilitated by SLT and nursing and it held twice per term and is support by outside services including community nursing and dietetics. Feeding clinic provides specialist support for pupils with dysphagia (swallowing impairment) or those with significant nutritional concerns. The feeding clinic serves as a referral pathway to specialists feeding services.
Wheelchair Clinic is facilitated by Occupational Therapy with the appropriate Wheelchair Service. Wheelchair clinic serves as a referral pathway to specialist wheelchair services. Both Wandsworth Wheelchair Service (Wandsworth, Sutton and Merton and Richmond) and Westminster Wheelchair Service (Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster) conduct clinics on site at school.
Orthotic clinic is conducted on a fortnightly basis by orthotists from Queen Mary’s Hospital and the school Physiotherapists. The clinic is for reviewing lower limb orthoses (foot splints, gaiters, insoles). Pupils both from within and outside Wandsworth are seen in this clinic.
Speech and Language Therapy
Our Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team provides support for our pupils that have difficulties with:
• Communication
• Speech
• Language
• Social communication skills
• Eating and drinking
The SaLT team uses a variety of assessment methods both formal and informal to identify appropriate support for each pupil. We aim to help all our pupils reach their communication potential to access information, develop social relationships and develop independence.
We work alongside other specialists in communication and feeding to support our pupils, including teacher of the Deaf, our sensory service, dietitians, nursing and specialist centres.
Many of our pupils need some form of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system to help them communicate. The SaLT team has experience with a wide range of unaided and aided AAC systems.
• Unaided systems we use include: Gestures, body language, Makaton Signing, Sign Supported English, Coactive signing, and On-body signing.
• Aided systems we use include: PODD communication books, PECS and Object exchange, Aided Language Display Boards, Object of Reference, tactile referencing, and static and dynamic hi-tech voice-output technologies (e.g. switches, GoTalks, ipads, Proxtalker, Tech Speak, Eye Gaze).
Our team are used to working on developing switch progression and in the use of new technologies such as eye gaze for both access and to facilitate communication. We work closely with special interest groups and GOSH AAC hub to support our pupils communication.
Therapy sessions are likely to occur within our classrooms as these are the most important environments for enhancing our pupil’s learning.
Occupational Therapy
Our Occupational Therapy (OT) team is responsible for supporting the pupils to develop and maintain their skills in everyday activities in order for them to develop their independence and access their education.
In order to support our pupils to develop their independence we work jointly with the school staff and outside services including wheelchair services, social care colleagues, and social services OTs.
Our OT team is highly experienced in working with students who have complex physical health needs and learning disabilities and in the areas of:
• Sensory Processing Difficulties
• Upper Limb Management
• Postural management
• Specialist equipment provision
• Skills and fine motor development
The OT team support our pupils by:
• Completing specialist assessment and intervention based on individual need
• Ensuring appropriate seating to provide postural stability and promote function
• Ensuring appropriate access to the school curriculum, environment and social activities
• Supporting upper limb management and fine motor control
• Provision of equipment to promote function and assist with activities such as eating and personal care
• Promote personal independence through developing activities of daily living e.g. feeding, drinking, dressing, toileting and play skills.
Our input may involve both direct and indirect support.
Direct support may include group class based or 1-2-1 interventions.
Indirect support would involve consultation with other professionals working with the children such as providing advice or providing therapy programmes to be completed throughout the school week.
Physiotherapy
Our Physiotherapy (PT) team is responsible for the assessment, treatment and management of our pupil’s physical and gross motor development. We aim to optimise pupil’s individual physical potential.
Physiotherapy support is provided through:
• Programmes that are integrated into daily routines both at home and school
• Physiotherapy group sessions within classes
• One-to-one physiotherapy assessments
• One-to-one physiotherapy treatment sessions, based on prioritisation criteria
• Provision of equipment to assist with standing, walking, seating and lying postures as part of a pupil’s postural management programme.
• Hydrotherapy programmes, when clinically indicated
• Liaison with outside professionals, including other therapists and healthcare professionals, consultants and social care teams
• Referrals to other services, such as Orthotics
• Joint physiotherapy clinics with Orthopaedic and Orthotics
Our PT team is highly experienced in working with pupils with complex physical and learning disabilities and in the areas of:
Therapy sessions are likely to occur within our classrooms as these are the most important environments for enhancing our pupil’s learning.
Creative Arts Therapies (Music Therapy & Play Therapy)
Our Music Therapists and Play therapist work part time and provide an additional service for pupils who it is felt would benefit from extra support to contribute towards their emotional wellbeing.
Creative arts therapists can help pupils who:
Music Therapy
Is provided one day a week (Wed) by Pamela Michaelides. Therapy sessions usually take place on a one to one basis in the creative arts therapy room. The quiet, undisturbed therapy space enables pupils to express themselves fully and safely and to confidentially explore any emotional difficulties they are experiencing. Any form of communication by the child is responded to and supported by the music therapist. This may include vocal sounds, movements and facial expressions and symbolic play as well as making sounds with instruments. The therapist plays music alongside the child, improvising and using creative structures that are tailored to each child’s individual needs and abilities. Songs and pre-composed music are also used where they are felt to be beneficial. Our music therapists also provide wider support across the whole school through special groups, family sessions, workshops and co-therapy sessions, for example to help children achieve specific developmental, physical or communication aims. Referrals are made by class teachers in consultation with the Headteacher and Music Therapist.
Play Therapy
Is provided one day a week (Friday) by Alanna Thrower. Play Therapy is a form of child centred therapy for children who may be struggling socially or emotionally. By using toys, games and creative activities the therapist will help the child to overcome difficult emotions or behaviours and support them to find more suitable coping strategies. Play Therapy helps to develop children’s confidence and self-esteem through enjoyable activities delivered at the child’s level. Children work at a pace that is comfortable for them, allowing them lots of choice and control in the Play room.
All of the creative arts therapists in our team are qualified from recognised training courses and are members of professional bodies including: British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT), The UK Society for Play and Creative Arts Therapies (PTUK), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Sessions are confidential, but therapists keep staff and parents informed on progress at meetings and in reports. Referrals are made by class teachers in consultation with the Headteacher and Play Therapist.
Note: Unfortunately it is not possible for every child to receive creative arts therapies and those with the highest emotional needs are prioritized for individual sessions. However, all children at Greenmead benefit from the school’s vibrant creative arts programme which includes: weekly interactive music groups with the school’s music facilitator, daily singing and play in class, Makaton choir, special performances and workshops with visiting orchestras and performing arts groups.
The Friends of Greenmead (FOG) is the registered charity of Greenmead School. It depends on the support of parents, friends and staff for its success. Through FOG’s fundraising activities, Greenmead pupils have access to a range of facilities which would not otherwise be available. This includes funding Music Therapy. New parents are encouraged to join. If you would like to make a donation to the school please contact the school office or go to www.justgiving.com
Charity Name: Friends of Greenmead Charity No.: 1012795
