welcome TO ACORN SCHOOL
We are an independent co-educational school which provides a supportive learning environment for pupils from Key Stage 2-4 with Social, Emotional, Mental Health difficulties, Autism Spectrum Condition and/or Specific Learning Difficulties.
I am privileged to be the Head teacher of this nurturing school, where the individual child is at the heart of what we do. We recognise that every pupil is different, yet equal, and all staff are committed to treating each individual with inclusion, compassion and understanding. We understand that every pupil will have different needs and offer a safe and encouraging learning environment where, pupils can feel supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
At Acorn School we aim to help our pupils to overcome their individual challenges by supporting them with underlying difficulties that may be leading to displays of frustration. A carefully planned and bespoke curriculum, which includes social development as well as academic and vocational learning allows our pupils to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Zoey Shelley
MBA, QTLS
Head Teacher
- Smaller class sizes of: 1 teacher, 1 teaching assistant & 4 pupils
- 42 places, mixed gender
- In-house integrated therapies team
- Key stage 2-4
- 1:1 support available
- Broad and balanced curriculum offer
DELIVERING OUR VALUES
At Acorn School, the individual needs of our pupils are at the heart of all that we do.
We work closely with our children/young people, their families and professionals to create bespoke programmes of learning for pupils, which are tailored to their education, social and emotional needs, supporting them to achieve their full potential. This means that we deliver a personalised curriculum, which, where possible, acknowledges the national curriculum and meets the individual needs of our pupils, whilst also supporting them to meet the outcomes identified in their EHCPs.
To achieve this, every pupil has an individual Pathway Plan and Provision Map which identifies their areas of need and how we can best address them, both in terms of staff approach and the curriculum that they are provided. Our goal is to provide access to the best academic outcomes possible as well as preparing our pupils for adulthood and the next stage of their education by equipping them with the skills required to achieve personal success.
OUR CORE OFFER
Acorn School supports children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16 who have difficulties with their emotional, social and mental health, as well as other complex needs often associated with autistic spectrum conditions, trauma and attachment disorders.
At Acorn School we aim to provide a caring learning environment where pupils can experience positive learning opportunities that will enable them to develop their full potential socially, emotionally, academically and physically. We aim for our pupils to develop their feelings of self -worth, grow intellectually, build positive relationships and develop their life and social skills in order that they will become happy, confident and valued members of society.
- Have high expectations of our pupils.
- Create a safe and positive learning environment in which pupils can learn effectively.
- Provide all pupils with a broad range of subjects and qualifications, including GCSEs.
- Provide opportunities for pupils to develop their interests and skills through a range of extra-curricular activities and experiences.
- Ensure good home-school relationships in order to enable parents and carers to play their part in the education of their children.
- We are a specialist provision and we create bespoke packages for pupils with complex SEMH difficulties.
- We tailor our curriculum to ensure that it meets the need of pupils with SEMH difficulties.
- We are a truly therapeutic school and we have an in house therapy team who can support the special educational needs of our pupils.
- Offer a range of interventions to support pupil progress in all areas.
- We develop strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders and outside agencies in order to support pupils throughout their time at school and through periods of transition.
- We foster values- based curriculum which helps pupils grow in confidence, creativity and self-control.
- We are an attachment aware school and successfully address barriers to learning so that academic attainment, health and well-being are improved.
- We believe that all behaviour is communication and aim to understand the out pupil’s needs in order that we can meet them effectively.
- We use restorative approaches in order to help pupils understand their place in the world and help them to develop the skills and mental agility they need in order be forge positive relationships, cope with conflict and rebuild friendships if problems arise.
- Small group teaching: Maximum of 4 pupils per class with LSA support.
- 1:1 and small group intervention work, transitional support and exam preparation for up to 2 hours per week.
- Rigorous Academic Progress Tracking and Assessment through the use of B squared tracking software.
- Baseline Developmental Assessments and Progress Tracking, including initial Motional or Boxall Profiling.
- Thrive style and attachment-based interventions and approaches embedded throughout the curriculum.
- Personalised Reward Scheme linked to the school token economy.
- Targeted Literacy and Numeracy interventions
- Specialist Differentiated Teaching
- Termly reports and meetings to agree targets and discuss progress.
- Weekly Enrichment and Self Esteem building activities.
- Weekly Outdoor learning opportunities
- Examinations and accreditation. - GCSE, ASDAN. AQA units, Functional Skills, ECDL.
- Restorative Approaches
- Individual Education plans and self -regulation plans.
- Bespoke education packages to meet individual needs and aspirations
- Robust Safeguarding systems and close liaison with external agencies and relevant stakeholders.
- Weekly success reports to parents and carers.
- Specific learning interventions/ IT/ equipment etc.
- Bespoke PSHE and SRE learning opportunities which support pupil's individual needs.
- Calm and consistent learning environment.
- Specialist teaching and support staff with ASC and attachment training.
- Weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions with key adult and daily tutor group support.
- Autism and SEMH progress tracking - communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and flexibility
Our therapeutic core offer
- A Full range of Initial Therapeutic assessments on entry, and ongoing monitoring of progression and need.
- At least 1 hour per week of therapeutic intervention e.g. Drama therapy
- Continued oversight of delivery of therapeutic interventions including ED Psych, Clinical Psychologist support
- 1 hour per week Speech and Language support per pupil including group sessions, 1 to 1 intervention
- Ongoing Clinical staff support to ensure practice remains relevant and sound
- Full ongoing staff training in full range of therapeutic practices ensuring therapeutic intervention is practiced across all school activities
REFERRALS & ADMISSIONS
Pupil intake to Acorn School is determined through an assessment process. Parents and Social Workers are welcome to contact the school for more information once you have read our prospectus. We take applications at all points of the year.
- Parents/Carers/Social Worker/Placements team contact school for information.
- Parents/Carers inform Local Authority of their school preferences.
- Local authority consults Acorn School.
- Senior leadership team assesses whether pupil needs can be met.
- Further information may be required at this stage.
- Home visit or School visit arranged.
- Parents/Carers and Pupil invited for admissions interview.
- Final decision made by Senior leadership team.
- Local Authority informed of decision and education package agreed.
- Admission Pack sent out to parents/carers to be completed and signed.
- Individual risk assessment and positive behavioural support plan created.
- All information added to School Information Systems.
- Transport arranged through the Local Authority.
- Clear transition plan created.
- Pupil starts at Acorn School.
- Baseline assessments commence.
