HRH The Duke of York on a visit to the school's pottery department.
The Percy Hedley Foundation plays a crucial role in the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy and communication difficulties in the North East of England and beyond. A small group of parents and professionals campaigned from 1949 to establish a special unit for the treatment and education of cerebral palsied children. Among many supporters was the Queen who presented a gift of Royal cutlery to be auctioned. The school opened in 1953 with 12 pupils.
Since then the school has expanded and is now the only specialist school in the North of England for children with cerebral palsy and communication difficulties. It is also unique because it has pioneered an integrated method of therapy and education, inspired by the Hungarian system of Conductive Education. In recognition of its increasing national and international reputation, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, visited the school in July 1989. It now caters for up to 200 children and young people and offers primary, secondary and post-16 educational opportunities. It also offers a free 'school for parents' facility as well as offering an assessment service and professional training.
However, the school is only one aspect of the Foundation's work. By the late 1950s it became clear that when the children left school there was little or nothing for them to do and no therapy available. They returned home and lived with parents, sometimes in the most harrowing of circumstances. The Foundation opened up a small residential home and workshop for 12 adults in 1963. Just as the school this facility has developed massively over the years and now accommodates 50 severely disabled adults. The accommodation is a national flagship with adults able to choose shared flats, their own bedsits, uniflats or individual bungalows. The workshop was changed into a range of day care services which caters for another 75 adults and among many other facilities includes a state of the art information technology centre incorporating a computer assisted music studio. The quality and uniqueness of our services was recognised when His Royal Highness, The Duke of York opened our latest facilities in October 1999.
The Foundation continues to grow and develop to meet the needs of the children and adults who benefit from our services.
Find out more on our main website, through the link on this page.
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