Project: Hygiene Room Hoist Installation
Client: St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School
Location: Hob Moor Road, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8QL
Scope: Installation of an Astor OT200 Ceiling Track Hoist within a school Hygiene Room to help the setting better support pupils with SEND as part of mainstream provision
School Background
Mainstream schools are increasingly adapting their environments so pupils with SEND can attend and thrive locally, alongside their peers. That shift often comes down to practical, everyday provision: safe spaces for personal care, moving and handling, and routines that protect dignity while keeping pupils included in school life.
At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School in Yardley, Birmingham, the focus was on strengthening the school’s Hygiene Room provision so staff could support pupils safely and confidently, and so the school could welcome a broader range of needs within its mainstream setting.
Project Overview
The project centred on fitting an Astor OT200 Ceiling Track Hoist within the Hygiene Room to enable smoother, safer transfers during assisted personal care.
A ceiling track system was chosen because it keeps the floor area clear, reduces the need to manoeuvre mobile equipment in tight spaces, and helps staff support pupils with less physical strain. Most importantly, it helps the Hygiene Room function as a calm, practical space where care can be carried out discreetly and efficiently, supporting inclusion rather than disruption.
Technical Features
The Hygiene Room now benefits from the Astor OT200 Ceiling Track Hoist, designed to support frequent, day-to-day use in busy settings.
Key outcomes of the installation include:
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Safer transfers for pupils who require physical support
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Reduced manual handling risk for staff
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A clearer, less cluttered room layout (thanks to ceiling-mounted lifting)
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A more consistent and dignified care routine within the school day
The track layout was planned around the room’s key transfer points to make the hoist straightforward to use and suitable for the school’s routines.
Why Hoists Matter for Mainstream Inclusion
When a mainstream school invests in the right facilities, it can remove barriers that might otherwise limit a pupil’s placement options. In practical terms, a well-designed Hygiene Room with ceiling track hoisting can help a school to:
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Support pupils with physical disabilities and complex needs on site
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Reduce time out of class by making care routines smoother
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Improve staff confidence and wellbeing by lowering physical demands
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Demonstrate meaningful inclusion through the built environment, not just policy
This is the kind of provision that helps mainstream settings widen access for pupils with SEND in a realistic, sustainable way.
Conclusion
The Astor OT200 ceiling hoist installation at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School is a clear example of how targeted upgrades can strengthen inclusive provision in a mainstream environment.
By improving Hygiene Room capability, the school is better equipped to meet a wider range of needs safely, support staff with robust moving and handling solutions, and help pupils with SEND remain included in everyday school life.
Get In Touch
If you’d like to learn more about Hygiene Rooms for schools or discuss a project, please contact our team today.
