St Rose's Big Bounce
St. Roses needs £1.5 million!
click on the picture to find out why...
Over a hundred years ago a child with special needs, who could not be accommodated in a parish school, was left with the Dominican Sisters of St Rose Convent in Stroud. Through the inspiring courage of the Sisters, this event led them to found St Rose’s in 1912 – one of the very first special schools in the country. With money they borrowed, they bought and extensively renovated a house adjoining the convent. Through dedicated work they created a place ready to nurture and provide specialist and individual education and residential care for children and young people.
St Rose’s was officially recognised by the Board of Education in April 1912. Shortly after this came its first inspection and the comments of the inspectors then would ring true today: “the happy look of the children”.
From early on students were encouraged to think about others. In 1915 they entertained wounded and recovering soldiers from the First World War who were in hospital in Stroud. They all had tea together afterwards.
The school continued to grow and flourish, taking children from all parts of the country.
Encouraging independence of students has always been important. In 1923 a Board of Education report said ‘plenty of scope has been given to develop the children’s self-reliance.’
The social life of students and involvement in the local community runs through St Rose’s history, illustrated by a talk given in 1969: ‘Out of school activities include swimming, riding and Guides. There is plenty of space outdoors. Weekends are relaxed and children choose their own activities. We often take children out, on holiday or shopping.’
In 1973 children took part in a sponsored silence to raise money for Mother Teresa. News of this reached her, and she visited St Rose’s later that year. Today, students take part in many charitable activities to raise money for others, such dressing up as superheroes for Children in Need.
Growth and development has been a continuous part of St Rose’s history. Many buildings have been bought and adapted, and purpose built. The specialist and individual care for students and their families has developed to meet twenty-first century needs, retaining the ethos and happy, family atmosphere created from its inspiring beginnings.
The inspiring courage of the Dominican Sisters of St Rose Convent in Stroud, led them to found St Rose’s in 1912. Their foundations established the ethos for St Rose’s and St Martin’s today: the happy, family-atmosphere where children and students are challenged to develop and achieve their potential. Set in beautiful grounds within walking distance to the centre of Stroud the young people are offereed a nurturing and social environment for students to develop their independence, as well as education, therapy and day and residential care for children and students aged 2 to 25, with a wide range of disabilities, including Autism. The nursery includes mainstream children, as well as children with disabilities. Many of the students have physical disabilities, as well as sensory, learning and communication difficulties; some also have complex health needs. Parents and carers trust St Rose's implicitly.
Why we need to raise £1.5 million and how you can help.
Go on, Give us a bounce!
All the children at St Roses, whether they are 2 years old or 22, have complex disabilities. They face enormous challenges in communicating, in learning and in mobilising. But, in the nurturing environment of St Roses School and Residential Centre, they learn life skills that enable them to be as independent as they can be. Just like we want all our children to be. After all, independence is just another word for growing up.
Not only do these young people need to be in a safe and loving environment as they learn, little by little, to master new skills. The buildings and rooms themselves need to be uniquely adapted to the challenges they face. Some of them struggle with loud, echoey spaces, others have visual impairments which means they find it tricky to work out which room they are in. Our lovely Georgian building is cosy, but you can hardly turn today’s wheelchairs around in some rooms. Just one reason why we urgently need to redesign our residential facilities.
That’s why we’re asking for your donations and support for ST ROSES BIG BOUNCE. We aim to start building Quentin House this October.
A uniquely special, state of the art home-from-home.
All by the power of bouncing!