For Parents, Carers & Young People

If your child has been out of school, you are not the first.

Most families who reach us have had an exhausting few years. Exclusions, endless waits for assessments, appeals, or being told that your child is the problem.

We will tell you what we do, what it looks like, and whether we think we can help your child — honestly, and quickly.

A warm, small classroom setup for five pupils
Classrooms set up for maximum 5 pupils — calm, uncrowded and personal Small Groups

Will my child be safe?

That is the first question and it should be. Twenty-five pupils in the entire building. No class has more than five children. Every adult in the building knows every young person by name.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Linda Paul, who is also the Executive Headteacher. If you are ever worried about anything, you can ring her directly.

A Calibrated Rhythm

What a day actually looks like

9:00am – 3:15pm (Doors open 8:30am)
8:30 – 9:00

Arriving & Settling In

Soft Start

Known greeting, zero stress, low sensory load

Met at the door by someone known. Quiet breakfast, looking over the daily plan, sensory settling, or gentle check-in.

Sensory room available immediately for anyone needing decompression.
9:00 – 12:00

Individual & Small Group Learning

Core Strands

Core academics & practical life skills

Maximum of 5 pupils per class. 1:1 specialist focus, practical problem solving, culinary life skills in our kitchen, or structured reading.

No six consecutive lessons. Pacing calibrated to focus stamina.
12:00 – 1:00

Lunch & Regrouping

Refuel

Social time or calm quiet recharge

Nutritious lunch brought in. Pupils choose between relaxing in quiet breakout spaces or spending time with friends and staff.

Quiet zones preserved for pupils sensitive to cafeteria noise.
1:00 – 3:15

Vocational, Adulthood Prep & Enrichment

Empowerment

Hands-on projects, careers guidance & off-site sport

Preparation for adulthood, financial literacy, external Level 6 careers advisory, creative arts, and community navigation.

De-escalation and restorative check-ins before departure.
3:15pm

Home & Transport Transition

Departure

Calm closure to the day

No unmanageable homework piles sent home. Smooth handover to arranged transport or family.

Parents informed only of meaningful progress and major updates, not constant small friction.

What if my child has a bad day?

They will. Everyone does.

We watch for early signs — changes in body language, vocal tone, or rising sensory tension. Then we do whatever helps: decrease demands, change the activity, bring in an adult they trust, move to the sensory room, or offer physical life-skills tasks.

We do not punish a young person for being distressed, and we do not force them to work through overwhelming anxiety.

Work missed during distress is never simply dumped as homework. Your child's teacher determines whether it needs revisiting later or adapting entirely.

Informal & Low-Pressure

How to Come and See Us

You and your child can visit with zero pressure. See the rooms, meet the staff, and decide if it feels right.

For urgent safeguarding matters, ring 01634 470 742 directly.