Orchard Road

Overview

Number of Classrooms: Seven (7). Each student has a classroom.
Student capacity on the site: Five (5). The site is organised so that each student has a personal space.  We encourage students to make the room their own so that rather than a school setting it feels like a ‘home from home’. Each classroom is arranged to give the student a range of options.
Class size: Each student on the site is recognised as ‘a class’. Each student is taught by a teacher, and in some cases a Teaching Support Assistant to support learning and their pastoral needs.
Co-Education: The site accommodates both boys and girls
Mixed Ability: The students are NOT placed on the site according to ability or age, only by compatibility.  It is vertically organised to incorporate education across age ranges, from age 11 to 19 years.
Peer Interactions: Peer interactions are encouraged throughout the school day, within group based lessons and at social times.  Students are always supported by staff and monitored to report progress and provide safe and positive interactions.
Access to Intervention Team : Speech and Language Therapist; Music Therapist; Life Skills Coach; Mindfulness Teacher; Impartial Careers Adviser.

Curriculum

Each student has an individualised timetable which is agreed with them. They have access to all core subjects, all Humanities subjects, PE, ICT, Health and Social Care, PHSE, the Careers Steps Programme  and a wide range of ASDAN subjects.

Although academic progress is extremely important,  a strong focus of the work done is on developing the emotional literacy and communication skills of the students in order to develop their social skills and confidence. Emphasis is also placed on stimulating an interest in education through kinaesthetic activities.

Qualification that students achieve: Unit Awards and ASDAN
Access to Professionals: Speech and Language Therapist; Music Therapist; Life Skills Coach;  Impartial Careers Adviser.

Other Facilities:

• Kitchen: All meals are cooked on site. Students access the kitchen, based on risk assessment.
• Dining Area: Students are encouraged to have their break and lunch in the dining area along with the staff team. This is carefully managed by staff.  Students and staff share lunch times together so that we promote and demonstrate good social skills and manners.
• Medical Room: Dedicated room for medically examining and treating students and for the short-term care of sick and injured students, includes a hand basin with a  WC close by.
• Bathroom: Showering facilities available on the ground floor bathroom.
• Garden: There is a small, secure paved play area to the rear of the building suitable for outdoor games such as football.

Transitioning from Orchard Road to Other Sites

The students’ risks and behaviours are managed very carefully and, when it is agreed by the school’s internal professional team, the student will transition to one of the school sites in order to access more group interactions and more independence.

Security

Orchard Road is covered by CCTV cameras. For information about our use of surveillance, please find the CCTV Code of Practice Policy in the Privacy section.

Car Parking

Car parking space is very limited outside school sites and visitors are asked to take care when parking to ensure the safety of everyone arriving and departing. You are allowed to park along Orchard Road. Please be mindful of our immediate neighbours so that you are not blocking driveways.