Linden Lodge, a school for the visually impaired (VI) and multi-disabled or autistic VI children between 4 to 19 years, gave Sprunt another wonderful opportunity to put our vision of creating a better environment for children into practice.Sprunt revolutionised the school’s thinking by separating the teaching space from the residential. The interior of the fine listed Lutyens house at the heart of the school was transformed to provide a new reception area with level access throughout. Some of the classrooms were remodelled to facilitate a specialised curriculum and enable staff to effectively support and supervise pupils, lifts were also installed for those with limited mobility. Imaginative conversion of a number of 1960’s outbuildings has resulted in new science laboratories, art studios and an upgraded assembly hall and gymnasium. Sprunt also included a highly innovative hydrotherapy pool with cutting edge sensory equipment, lighting and sound systems.Outside, in addition to the beautiful formal gardens, designed by Gertude Jekyll, Sprunt added a nature trail and more informal sensory garden in the woodland area.Linden Lodge is maintained by Wandsworth LEA and supports students from 34 LEAs across the south of England. It is the only residential school for the visually impaired in the country and will now be able to offer 47 residential places out of its capacity of 95.
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