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RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning

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Coordinates: 52°27′22″N 1°30′24″W / 52.4561°N 1.5066°W / 52.4561; -1.5066
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RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning
Address
Map
Wheelwright Lane

Ash Green
near Coventry
,
Warwickshire
,
CV7 9RA

England
Coordinates52°27′22″N 1°30′24″W / 52.4561°N 1.5066°W / 52.4561; -1.5066
Information
Former nameRushton Hall School
TypeSpecial school
Established1957
Closed7 November 2018[1]
Department for Education URN122155 Tables
OfstedReports
GenderCoeducational
Age2 to 19
Websitehttp://www.rnib.org.uk/pearscentre

RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning was a school and children’s home for young people who were blind or partially sighted and who also had multiple disabilities or complex needs such as severe or profound learning disabilities, physical disabilities, additional sensory impairment, healthcare needs and autistic spectrum disorders. The school was run by RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People). It was based just outside Coventry. A Charity Commission report published in 2020 after a two-year investigation described a "catalogue of serious failings" at the school and said that "This is one of the worst examples we have uncovered of poor governance and oversight having a direct impact on vulnerable people".[2]

RNIB Pears Centre was categorised by Ofsted as a special, non-maintained school for 2- to 19-year-olds and as a children's home. Each service was inspected independently of one another by Ofsted. The children's home was rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted in November 2011. The school also achieved an 'Outstanding' Ofsted grading in February 2013, but in November 2017 it was graded as inadequate.[3] The Charity Commission for England and Wales launched an inquiry into the school in 2018 following a sexual abuse allegation.[4] On Tuesday 4 September 2018 the RNIB announced both the children's home and school would close on 7 November 2018, as the RNIB closed the children's home on site.[5]

The school was previously known as Rushton Hall School and then RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home. Princess Anne reopened the school in 2012 as the RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning – the new name reflected the donation and support given to the school by the Pears Foundation.[4][6]

History

The school was founded in 1957, at Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire. In 2002, the school moved to a shared site with Exhall Grange School in Coventry.[7]

In 2005, planning began for a major redevelopment of the entire school site. The redevelopment was finished in 2012.[7]

The Charity Commission for England and Wales (CC) made a two-year inquiry into the residential school after one of its subsidiaries alleged a 'sexually abusive practice' was occurring there.[4] The CCs' report posited that the institution had exposed vulnerable children to harm and said that it was 'one of the worst examples' it had ever uncovered.[2]

The CC's report said that the RNIB run school's failings had a serious impact on vulnerable people and recorded several cases of distress and harm to young disabled children.[2]

The RNIB claimed it had attempted to 'turn the service around' after the CC published their report.[8]

When the CC published its report the RNIB issued an apology which claimed that the findings, 'represent(s) a low point in our 152-year history'. The findings included a child whose feet were injured because they wore shoes that were too small for three months. Moreover, the inquiry found a 'disproportionately high number of basic medication errors' with one epileptic child suffering an increase in seizures.[9] It also found that the school failed to document physical restraint incidents.[10]

Redevelopment

Planning to redevelop the site began in 2005 and work started in 2009.[11] The first phase of work was completed during 2011. This involved a new school, five new bungalows and a new reception/administration building.

The second phase was completed in 2012. Empty buildings were knocked down and the site landscaped. The centre was officially opened on 13 September 2012 by The Princess Royal.[12] Further development in the future may include more accommodation, a hydrotherapy suite and a swimming pool.[13]

Rushton and Pears

In May 2011, Rushton School and Children's Home was renamed RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning. This is due to the Pears Foundation's investment of £1.1 million towards the redevelopment work.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Mullen, Enda (7 September 2018). "Children's home and school for blind children to close in wake of damning Ofsted report". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Layton, Josh (26 June 2020). "Damning report lists 'serious failings' at RNIB children's centre in Coventry". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. ^ Jenkins, Deb; Edgerton, Jane; Craig, John (14 November 2017). "School report RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning". Ofsted. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Watt, Holly (5 April 2018). "RNIB and subsidiary under investigation over abuse allegation". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  5. ^ "A message from Eleanor Southwood, our Chair". rnib.org.uk. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  6. ^ Pears Foundation website
  7. ^ a b RNIB website – About RNIB Pears Centre
  8. ^ Mullen, Edna (7 September 2018). "Children's home and school for blind children to close in wake of damning Ofsted report". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Children 'exposed to harm' at Coventry RNIB children's home". BBC News. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  10. ^ Butler, Patrick (25 June 2020). "Children at RNIB schools and homes put at risk, charity regulator finds". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  11. ^ Coventry Telegraph Article
  12. ^ "HRH The Princess Royal officially opens RNIB Pears Centre". RNIB. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  13. ^ RNIB website – transforming RNIB Pears Centre
  14. ^ RNIB website – Partnership with Pears Foundation
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