The PACE Centre provides integrated education on a daily basis for children with motor disorders. Since relocating to purpose built facilities in Aylesbury in 1997 the number of children attending the Centre has risen from fourteen to over sixty and there is now a waiting list for places. The children all have physical disabilities which make it difficult for them to do all the things that others take for granted: walk, talk, play, use their hands, and participate in a full academic curriculum. However, through participation in daily programmes, tailor made to meet their needs, they learn that they also can achieve success – they see themselves as “able”.

PACE’s daily timetable is inspired by the principles of Conductive Education; a system which emphasizes that the growing child develops as a whole and therefore requires an educational environment where all their individual needs are addressed using a holistic approach. An integrated education, incorporating the skills of teachers, therapists and conductors helps the children to develop independence skills, with the aim of successful inclusion in their local schools.

Designing and delivering an Integrated Curriculum relies heavily on an understanding and commitment to a common ethos and practice by all staff and parents and the ability of the transdisciplinary staff team to address the needs of the whole children. Senior staff have therefore devised a comprehensive training curriculum , which will in time ensure the continuity of the PACE ethos and concept.

To assist with the establishment of a Senior Management and Training Team, the Barbara Ward Children’s Foundation is providing funding for the posts of the Family/Staff Co-ordinator and the Senior Conductor for a period of three years at a cost of £36,880 per annum. The first of these provides training and support, as well as clinical expertise, to children, their families and to the staff working with them. The Senior Conductor works as Nursery Team Leader and both members of staff are part of the new Senior Management and Training Team. This funding is helping the Centre to continue providing high quality programmes and plan for its long term future