Oak Lodge Hostel

The residential provision at Oak Lodge School gives both school pupils and 16 Plus students the opportunity to board in school, either on a long term or respite basis, from Monday to Thursday each week in term-time. These may be full-time (4 nights per week) or part-time. Weekly boarding gives pupils the valuable experience of group living with other deaf children and staff, through which they learn to participate, work co-operatively with others, make sensible choices and become more independent. Over the years we have found that this experience has helped many children increase their self-esteem, self-confidence and encourage the development of a very positive self-image. Our young people are offered the choice of single study-bedrooms or 3 bedded rooms if they prefer to share. CCTV cameras are in place to monitor corridors at night. The hostel has its own playrooms, sitting room, kitchen and a quiet room for study and creative arts. The pupils also use the school's facilities in the evenings, including floodlit football/tennis courts, IT and Art rooms.

The young people are cared for and supervised by a qualified, dedicated and professional team of residential social workers - we provide a comprehensive programme of activities within an environment which promotes the pupils' social, educational, emotional and communicative development.

Each evening, pupils do homework before tea, with help from staff if needed. The staff also help pupils to gain a greater awareness of the world by interpreting television news, helping to read newspapers, etc. After tea there is a planned programme of supervised activities, with a choice of 3 or 4 each evening from an extensive list which includes: swimming, ice-skating, subtitled cinema, computer club, deaf youth clubs, sports clubs, cookery, visits to museums, inner city farms, bowling, craft club, drama, plus many other indoor and outdoor sports using school facilities.

Many of these activities take place in the local community with groups of hearing children. They give our young people the opportunity to learn new skills, try out new pastimes and promote integration with their hearing peers. All areas of learning are designed to be enjoyable as well as educational. Pupils have to opportunity to contribute to day to day life through meetings every half term, where they air their views, share ideas, suggest new activities, etc. It is essential that deaf young people learn independent living skills, e.g. shopping, cooking, travelling by public transport, managing money, using the fax, minicom and typetalk, using an interpreter, etc.

Staff have the training and experience to give the pupils the chance to learn these skills gradually. This is individually planned, monitored and supervised in order that every young person can achieve a high level of independence and awareness of personal safety, and become a happy, confident and successful adult.

One to one counselling is available (through our keyworker scheme) for all pupils, particularly for those needing additional help to overcome specific difficulties. Every pupil has an individual care plan (in writing and individually recorded on video), which are prepared in consultation with parents/carers and progress closely monitored. We also have regular "Circle Time" sessions to promote empathy and assertiveness.

We have an "open door" policy and we welcome visits, phone/minicom calls from parents, carers and families at any time. Many parents and brothers and sisters are frequent and regular visitors. There is a minicom and fax permanently available to the pupils to make and receive calls whenever they wish to.