St Rose’s 2030 – Building Development Project

St Rose’s 2030 is our development project that aims to transform our current provision into an outstanding school, college and therapy centre, which is also a uniquely special home from home. The project will create new specialist placements for children and young adults with disabilities and will be a much-needed ‘state of the art’ addition to a heavily under-resourced sector.  A more effectively designed environment will promote better short and long-term outcomes.

We are inspired by Professor Rob Horner who states

“Our job is not to fix people, but to provide effective environments”.

The project will reduce ongoing maintenance costs and generate additional income, making St Rose’s and St Martin’s less reliant on fundraising for future capital projects. In addition, it will create new jobs for the local community. This is a three-phase project across the school and college buildings.

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What we are working to achieve and why

Children and young people with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. They are at greater risk of underachieving, have less opportunities than non-disabled children and have both poorer physical and mental health outcomes.  However, early access to a well-designed environment supported by appropriate therapies can significantly improve both short and long-term outcomes for this group. The residential facilities at St Rose’s School and St Martin’s have been extended over a period of many years.  Large parts of the estate are now in need of significant refurbishment or repair and there is a need for a clear distinction between teaching, therapy and residential areas.

The primary need for change comes from three important factors:

1. The children and young people coming to St Rose’s and St Martin’s today have physical and health needs that are more complex and challenging than those of a decade ago.
2. Our residential facilities are dated. They were built at a time before electric wheelchairs and the technology which now greatly improves the lives of our young people.  They were much criticised in our last care inspection.
3. Over the past ten years advances in medical technology have seen survival rates of preterm babies and children after severe trauma or illness increase. This has resulted in a significant shortage of special school and college places, both in Gloucestershire and nationally.

In addition to changing the lives of young people for many years to come, the project will positively impact our local community.

• Increase college residential numbers from 9 to 12 by approximately 2023/4.
• Increase school residential numbers from 4/5 to 8/9 by 2022.
• Create two new apprenticeships opportunities for school leavers.
• Create up to 16/17 new jobs and training opportunities.