Treloar's Disabled College Receives Visit from Under-Secretary of State for Schools

HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, April 16, 2011 (Press-News.org) On his visit, Lord Hill was met by Treloar's Principal Amanda Quincey - who showed him the range of innovative services, which included Treloar's Direct and the Trailblazer; which is the UK's first mobile therapy and assessment service. The Trailblazer visits disabled students at both mainstream and specialist schools. The Trailblazer supplies a variety of leading edge technology to help students become more independent.

Lord Hill learned that Treloar's in Alton provides a variety of education, therapy and care for young people with complex disabilities and learning difficulties which utilise a range of skills and technology. This was demonstrated to him in a domestic independence setting, as students took part in a lesson with tutor Flossie Bennett. Students showed him a talking microwave and specially adapted cookery tools to help them use them by themselves.

Lord Hill was told how small changes in equipment make a huge difference to students so they can cook for themselves rather than rely on others.

President of the Student Council, Vicky, then presented Lord Hill with some homemade baking and a gift as a memento of his visit to Treloar's.

Principal, Amanda Quincey, said the visit had been a success; "We were delighted to host Lord Hill at Treloar's and introduce him to our students. He had the opportunity to see first-hand what Treloar's is all about and how we equip our students with the necessary skills for them to lead a more independent life, as well as how our Outreach Services, such as Treloar's Direct, operate in the wider community."

Treloar's is currently going through a massive transformation involving significant investment to secure its future and sustain its position as one of the UK's leading providers in special education needs both on its campus in Holybourne (which will accommodate both the School and College from this September) and in the wider community.

After the meeting, Lord Hill commented: "I was very pleased to have the chance to visit Treloar College and hear about the work it is doing to support students in gaining greater independence. It was wonderful to meet staff and students and see the fantastic work Treloar's is doing."

For more information please visit http://www.treloar.org.uk

Treloar School and College are operated by Treloar Trust which provides education, care, therapy, medical support and independence training to young people with physical disabilities from all over the UK and overseas. For more information please visit http://www.treloar.org.uk