A school already rated as ‘outstanding’ in its ability to help its pupils grow independently is delivering even better pastoral care with new, state of the art toilet facilities.

Bedelsford School in Kingston-upon-Thames has invested £600,000 in creating additional, and remodelled learning spaces of the 90 years-old building, to facilitate provision of a 6th Form College whilst still addressing the vast range of needs for other pupils. The Foundation school, which accepts 60 children from 2½- 16, has, as part of the refurbishment, upgraded the toilet facilities to include three purpose-equipped hygiene suites.

The facilities now incorporate two rooms each with a WC, height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and ceiling track X/Y hoist, and an additional, similarly equipped facility where the conventional WC has been replaced with a height-adjustable wash & dry toilet, a Closomat Lima Lifter with touch sensitive hand switch. All the specialist equipment was supplied and installed by Closomat.

Our pupils’ needs are varied and wide-ranging, so we do our absolute best to ensure that we can facilitate any special requirements they may have.

Explained Bedelsford School site manager Stuart Clowes.

Ofsted has rated Bedelsford School as outstanding in its meeting the needs of our pupils, who have profound and multiple learning difficulties, physical disabilities and complex health issues.

Added head teacher Julie James.

Our team works hard to meet those needs in all aspects of our pupils’ education, including social skills, right down to the detail of toilet training, to support their development.

The changing benches and hoists mean pupils who have continence issues can be safely and appropriately cleaned and changed during the school day. For pupils who are more capable in addressing their own toilet needs, the Closomat Lima Lifter gives them the ability to go to the toilet without care staff intervention. The Lima Lifter can be raised or lowered as they need; after toileting, activation of the flush mechanism or touch sensitive hand switch triggers washing and drying, eliminating the need for manual cleaning by user or care staff. It thus enhances independence and improves hygiene.

Closomat has over 50 years’ experience in delivering personal hygiene solutions, for domestic, commercial and public environments. The company has developed a range of equipment and support services that today meets every need, from a toilet adaptation in a flat or house through to an assisted accessible (Changing Places/ Space to Change) toilet facility away from home.

Uniquely, the products are backed up by in-house support, from assessment of requirements, design of an accessible bathroom or washroom to legislative and budgetary requirements, installation and commissioning of equipment, and lifetime maintenance.