TRELOAR'S has launched an innovative five-year plan which could see the closure of its two sites in Upper Froyle and consolidation of college, school and trust activities on the site at Holybourne. It is a multi-million pound vision aimed at securing the future of the organisation and one which should reconfirm Treloar's as the UK's top pioneer in the provision of education, therapy, medical care and independence training for physically disabled students. Trust chief executive Tony Reid said Treloar's is at a crossroads in its history – an opportunity has arisen to raise significant capital funding under the Government's initiative for 14-plus provision which could catapult what is already viewed as an educational 'centre of excellence' into a nationally recognised centre of far-reaching expertise, serving the complex needs of disabled young people. It is the fourth time since the founding of Treloar's 100 years ago that the Trust will have what is a unique opportunity to transform the organisation. The Treloar's journey began in 1908 with the foundation by the Lord Mayor of London, William Purdie Treloar, of the hospital (now the site of Alton Community Hospital and the Treloar Heights estate) and the college. Some 50 years later the acquisition of the Froyle estate enabled the introduction of education for girls who were taught at Holybourne while the boys transferred to the Froyle site. And in the 1970s Treloar's experienced the move to co-education. For the past year, the trustees and Treloar leadership team have been working on how best to meet the demand on Treloar's. To continue to meet government policies in education and disability Treloar's needs to adapt. "We live in challenging times and not changing is not an option," said Mr Reid. In a press briefing last Friday on the 'Securing Our Future' vision, The Herald heard that trustees had looked at several alternatives and, after detailed research, have come out in favour of moving the School and Trust from Upper Froyle to the 19.5- acre College campus at Holybourne in Alton. Key to this is the support of all involved – students, parents, staff, funders and supporters, and Mr Reid believes the Trust has got that support. Treloar's is determined to retain Beacon Status and to sustain excellence. State capital funding would enable Treloar's to build state-of-the-art facilities which are eco friendly, low maintenance and flexible, so that they can be adapted to the changing needs of students. It costs over £1m a year just to maintain the existing buildings. It has become clear that it would make financial and practical sense to realise the capital investment at Froyle and make best use of resources by turning the Holybourne site into a "shared hub of education, support and other services for young disabled people", ranging from primary age to adulthood. Holybourne is felt to be the right location because it offers a level site, close to the centre of Alton and its amenities. Treloar's employs more than 750 highly qualified, skilled and expert staff who live in and around the locality, the site is close to other providers so Treloar's could meet government requirements by developing inclusion. Most importantly, says Trust chairman, Bruce Powell, the community is already very accepting of Treloar's students. "We know that inclusion really works here, even down to the detail of building local facilities accessible for physically disabled people," said Mr Powell. Transport links and the close proximity of the town gives older students the opportunity to develop independent living, and the College has an excellent track record of collaborating with Alton College and Eggars School. The next step is to share the vision with East Hampshire District Council, Alton Town Council and residents, in Froyle and Holybourne and to work them, and the architects, to draw up a feasibility plan for a six phase development. The plan would expect to see Trust and administration staff housed just inside the gates at Holybourne, and the redevelopment of the 60s- style 'heart' of the site, while retaining the more modern outer buildings. The plan would see the necessary segregation of school and college students and would pedestrianise most of the site with an access drive around the outer boundary. The trustees are adamant: the key aim of this trail blazing project is that it must be "right for the students and fit for purpose."