The GLFB supports the work of Dorton House School and Look London, a family service that helps parents who are facing the dilemma of securing a school placement that meets the special and often complex needs of their children.
The nursery centre at Dorton House provides a comforting and exciting environment where tiny tots are encouraged to develop communication skills and the desire to learn and achieve. As well as teaching the National Curriculum in the main school the potential of each pupil is developed to the full so that they may become caring and confident individuals. Post-secondary education is provided at Dorton College where students are offered everything they need to increase their independence, as well as the academic benefits.
Very sadly, many of Dorton’s children have additional disabilities as well as being blind. For them, special facilities are also provided such as physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, mobility training, and light sensory rooms for visual stimulation.
Dorton House is indeed a very special school.
‘I don’t like this, Mummy. I want that.’ Hardly the words that a parent would ordinarily welcome from their child. ‘But then our 11 year old son is no ordinary child’ says Archie’s mother. ‘He was born with Anopthalmia (a condition that means he has no eyes), a minor brain deformity, a severe harelip and a cleft palette.’
Archie’s general happiness and demeanour have improved enormously since he started at Dorton:
‘The teaching staff and therapists have performed minor miracles, enabling him not only to find his voice, but also to use it to express his own opinions! We now hear all about Archie’s likes and dislikes, his friends and their activities, his favourite toys and pastimes and most importantly, why he has been naughty!’
