Swanwick Lodge Rock Challenge
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Swanwick Lodge Secure Children's Home entered the Be Your Best Foundation Youth Division Rock Challenge, on the 20 th February 2012. Through Humanities and English lessons Young People in Swanwick Lodge have explored the human impact of war, concentrating on the first and Second World Wars. As a result of these lessons our Rock Challenge entry focused on a Young Person going away to fight in the trenches, the impact on the loved ones left behind and the dedication of young people who were fighting in both wars. We began set building for our performance before Christmas, and spent 6 weeks making props, the set and designing costumes for our dance piece. During February half term, Young People spent each day working with Fuzzy Logic dance company to create an 8 minute dance piece to be judged as part of the Rock Challenge tour. On the 20 th of February, invited guests and the Rock Challenge Be Your best Foundation judges came to Swanwick Lodge and we performed our piece. One YP quoted “ That was the most amazing thing I have ever taken part in” We were Judged in three different categories, and awarded 7 individual awards of excellence in, Entertainment, Performance Skill, Choreography, Drama Skills, Staging, Set Design and concept interpretation. Our overall scores will go forward into the Youth Division competition at the end of June. |
Ofsted update
Swanwick's children reported to an Ofsted Inspector during their recent full inspection that they felt well supported and cared for by staff who want them to achieve and to succeed in life. Young people reported that Swanwick Lodge is a great place to be where they can get the help and support they need. The home offers young people a well-rounded, comprehensive service to ensure that they receive the assistance that they need to move on with their lives from the time when they are first placed in the home.
This, together with good health-care facilities, education and management led to an grading of outstanding in all categories. Rachel Walker, the Registered Manager of Swanwick Lodge said “this grading recognises the sheer hard work and commitment of staff and partner agencies who work in the Unit delivering excellent services to children on a daily basis. Relationships between young people and staff are a particular strength and this outstanding grading is a particular achievement under the new Ofsted framework which is all about delivery of a service to achieve better outcomes for young people. However, we maintain ambitious and are fully committed to further development and maintaining and building on our current professional practice and performance to achieve even better outcomes for young people”