“What’s that sound?” It’s the gentle tap of a Perkins Upward Brailler. Linden Lodge School was the first in the UK to use it. This special school stands in Wimbledon Park. It is not just any school. Linden Lodge School is a specialist sensory and physical college.
Linden Lodge School educates visually impaired children. These children are aged two to nineteen. Some have multiple disabilities. The school addresses sensory and physical difficulties. It strives to maximize independent living.
Imagine children learning through touch and sound. Linden Lodge School opened in 1902. The London School Board established it. It was one of two residential schools for blind children. Initially, it was only for boys. The original location was at Wandsworth Common.
The present main building was designed in 1934. Sir Edwin Lutyens was the architect. His Mock Tudor style gives the school a unique look.
Linden Lodge School has a rich history. The school’s original building was at 26 Bolingbroke Grove. It was known as Linden Lodge. E R Robson designed it in 1876. It was a private residence for Marjory Peddie. She was a retired headmistress.
In 1902, the London School Board took over the building. Linden Lodge School opened on December 10th. It educated about fifty blind boys aged 13 to 16. Around forty were boarders.
During World War II the children were evacuated. The boys returned in 1945. Elm Court School suffered bomb damage. The girls moved to North House in Wimbledon. From 1949, Linden Lodge became coeducational. It operated across two sites. Junior students were at North House. Senior girls bussed to Bolingbroke Grove.
The Bolingbroke Grove site closed in 1964. Senior boys moved to a purpose-built school. It was in the grounds of North House. Today, 26 Bolingbroke Grove is part of Northcote Lodge School.
There is a photographic record. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the school. North House was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1934. It was for Robert Wilson Black. He was a partner at Knight & Co. He was also a local hotelier.
Wandsworth has two sensory support services. Linden Lodge School oversees the hearing support service. The Wandsworth Sensory Support Service improves joint working. The Isobel Centre opened in 2018. It houses the core office for both services. It also has specialist assessment rooms.
The Wandsworth Vision Support Service is based in the Lodge Family Centre. It supports children with visual impairments. It works with children from birth to 19 years.
ClearVision is a national postal lending library. It is for visually impaired children. It began as a collection of braille and print books. It became an independent charity in 1992. ClearVision books have text in Braille or Moon. They are designed for shared reading. The project lends to families and schools.
Linden Lodge School has many notable alumni. Mike Brace was a Paralympic cross-country skier. Hassan Khan is a visually impaired England cricket player. Hayley Oliver is a country music singer. Derek Paravicini is an autistic savant and musical prodigy. George Shearing was a jazz pianist.
The school has also had notable staff. Edward Evans was a Labour MP. Adam Ockelford is a professor of music. Cerys Matthews is a music ambassador. Blake Aldridge is a sports ambassador.
Linden Lodge School continues to evolve. It meets the needs of its diverse students. The school offers different curriculum pathways. These pathways cater to various learning levels. The ACE Curriculum is based on the National Curriculum. The IMPACTS Curriculum stimulates daily experiences. The MSI Curriculum is for pupils with multisensory impairment.
Linden Lodge stands as a beacon of hope. It is a testament to inclusive education. The school empowers visually impaired children. It helps them achieve their full potential.