As academic institutions across the country close their doors for the summer, students everywhere will be looking back on the year with mixed emotions. For the 300-plus pupils at Treloar School and College near Alton in Hampshire, the usual feelings of relief at finishing exams and completing another term are heightened by a particularly special sense of accomplishment. They have worked with a physical disability and, in some cases, communication difficulties and hearing and visual impairments, to achieve academic success.
Treloar is the country's largest provider of specialist education and has gained a national reputation for its holistic approach to teaching physically disabled young people. The institution consists of a school in the village of Froyle for children aged seven to 16 and a college at nearby Holybourne for over-16s. It is supported by the Treloar Trust, founded in 1907 by Sir William Purdie Treloar, Lord Mayor of London, who helped raise the money to build a hospital and college in Alton. In 1948, the National Health Service acquired the hospital and the Trust purchased a new site for the boys' college in nearby Froyle. In 1965, a school for girls was added at Holybourne and 13 years later the two schools amalgamated to become co-educational.
Pupils come from all parts of the UK and overseas to study at Treloar, and one look at the curriculum reveals why. On offer are accredited courses, from AS level to GNVQs, in a range of subjects from law, government and politics to leisure and tourism, photography and business administration. Alongside academic subjects, students are taught life skills, such as cooking, shopping and using public transport, to help them gain the independence they'll need once they leave. Many students go on to take up university places, gain work experience or move out of home - testing times for any young adult, but particularly so for those with disabilities. Treloar aims to ensure its pupils leave college with the confidence as well as the qualifications to take their next steps towards adulthood, and has invested more than £5m over the last 10 years to help them do just that. Students have been able to participate in amazing outward-bound-style trips and try out activities such as abseiling in a wheelchair and canoeing. A campaign in 2000 raised funds for a vital Learning Resource Centre, which is equipped with technology for those students with difficulties using standard computers. Building on the success of these projects will be the aim of Treloar's fundraising campaign for its approaching centenary.
Here at South West Trains, we have been working with students and staff from Treloar College on the design of the disabled facilities for our refurbished Class 455 trains, which operate on most inner suburban routes into London Waterloo. Earlier this year, we were delighted to name one of our brand new Desiro trains after Treloar College in recognition of its valuable work. Dr Graham Jowett, Principal, was thrilled with the dedicated disabled facilities on board the new trains: "We are delighted to have this train carrying our name. Freedom to travel is vital to independence and is an important element of study for everyone at Treloar." Students also provided artwork for Farnham station during the MAD Day charity activities in May (see Network News). "From our perspective," explains Rosie Lewis, Marketing Director, "the relationship between ourselves and South West Trains is an exciting and very mutually rewarding association."
