Therapy at our school

Physiotherapy
The physiotherapy team at Beatrice Tate School see any children who are already in receipt of Tower Hamlets physiotherapy input before they join the school. New referrals to the physiotherapy team can be made by your GP, consultant, other therapists or school staff. All referrals need to go via the Single Point of Access system at Mile End Hospital.

What does the physiotherapist do in school?

• If your child is known to the physiotherapy team then the physiotherapist can see them in school for their assessments and provide the teaching staff with training to carry out their personalised exercise programmes.
• If your child uses a standing frame or specialist walker the physiotherapist will set-up this equipment to ensure that your child gets the most benefit from it in school and at home.
• Twice a month there is a physiotherapist/orthotist led orthotics clinic where we see any children who need their foot splints and gaiters reviewed or adjusted.
• In the school holidays your physiotherapist may come to your house to review any equipment you have at home, such as a sleep system or standing frame, or to teach you how to support your child with their exercise programme.

Occupational Therapy
The occupational therapy team at Beatrice Tate School aims to work with parents, carers, and school staff to support children to develop their functional skills. We believe that children can maintain or improve their physical and mental health by participating in meaningful activities such as self-care, domestic tasks, leisure and school-based learning.

To facilitate this, occupational therapists will assess and offer advice, support, practical strategies, and in some cases equipment to promote children’s participation and development of functional skills for everyday living.

In addition the children’s occupational therapy service offers:

1. Twice yearly splinting clinics for the management of upper limb problems.
2. Parent workshops to promote the participation of children in family life.
3. Support for children and their families to prepare for the transition to adult services.

Occupational therapists work collaboratively with other therapists, school staff, and health and social care professionals to advocate for children, and wherever possible establish joint therapy goals.

Speech and Language Therapy
The speech and language therapy team at Beatrice Tate School aims to work closely with school staff and parents/carers to build upon each pupil’s communication strengths and encourage independence.

This is achieved by the speech and language therapist working closely with staff to enrich the communication environment and create and support opportunities to communicate in the classroom and at home. The speech and language therapist will work with the class teacher and family to set and review communication targets and explore the best ways for pupils’ to access communication and their wider lessons.

The speech and language therapy team works closely with the school staff, family, dietitian and occupational therapist to assess, treat and manage children who present with eating and drinking difficulties.

Training and workshops are regularly offered to both school staff and families.

The speech and language therapist works closely with families and education, health and social care teams to ensure children, young people and families are informed and involved in the assessment, planning and transitioning process.

How do I get in contact with the therapy team?

Via the Beatrice Tate School office: 0208 983 3760

Or the main therapy office at Mile End Hospital: 0208 223 8897

The physiotherapists and occupational therapists are based in Beatrice Tate School on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

The speech and language therapist is based at school on Tuesday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Thursday.

Follow link below to: Useful contacts for parents and carers
Useful contacts for families