Newsletter

Prospectus 2016/2017

Barnby Road

Newark

Nottinghamshire

NG24 3NE

e-mail: enquiries@hopehouseschool.co.uk

Tel: 01636 700380

Web: www.hopehouseschool.co.uk

Hope House School has been inspired by the plight of one small boy with a rare genetic disorder called Opitz syndrome, which is on the Autistic Spectrum. That little boy is Hugh, and he is my grandson. We know his trauma is not unique and there are many children and families throughout the UK who are struggling to provide their child with the most effective education and care. For many their disorders make attending mainstream school a torment.

Through passionate fund-raising efforts and professional support, we are now realising our desire to provide a unique school which will transform the lives of up to twenty-five educationally fragile children.

Through specially tailored, one-to-one tuition in individual teaching rooms and small groups, we aim to build their confidence and to help them make sense of the world around them.

I hope you find the enclosed information comprehensive and useful, but should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Terri Westmoreland

Founder and Principal

OUR COMMITMENT

‘I finally have a school to look after my son and keep him safe. I never thought that would happen.’

Hope House is a unique school which is designed to benefit children who are on the autistic spectrum, and who are educationally fragile and struggle in traditional classrooms.

It provides a calm, caring environment where everyone feels valued, secure and able to learn. We aim to promote the best sensory environment in which pupils can learn. This means reducing distractions and potential irritations by providing one-to-one tutoring in individual classrooms specially designed to meet the needs of each child, and in small groups.

Our provision is multi-disciplinary, combining access to individual tuition with intensive holistic therapy input from our experienced team.

We are committed to building our pupils’ confidence, independence and learning, through a flexible and individual learning plan.

Our commitment is to build a strong partnership with the children and their families, by providing an approachable and understanding school, which actively works towards promoting consistency and continuity between all the child’s environments.

We are committed to working towards reintegration to mainstream education for our pupils, if this is agreed to be the best educational solution for them.

Our School is a Registered Charity. Any surplus monies from fees or fund raising will be used to benefit children on the autistic spectrum in our local area and in the wider community.

SCHOOL ETHOS

We believe that everyone at Hope House School is of equal value, must be treated with dignity and respect, and encouraged to become part of the school community.

We have high standards and expectations in terms of all-round development and behavior. Achievement and success are recognized and celebrated at all levels

MISSION STATEMENT

The school will:

· Deliver a broad, balanced individualized curriculum which is pupil centered and responsive to individual needs.

· Provide a wide range of relevant and appropriate learning opportunities and experiences

· Create a high quality, low stimulus learning environment where pupils feel safe.

· Promote pupils’ emotional health and well-being

· Ensure continuity and progression within the school and prepare pupils for their next phase in life, including life-long learning

· Work in partnership with pupils, parents, carers, other professionals, therapists and the local community.

SCHOOL AIMS

’I cannot believe the progress my son has made in a year. Just shows what a fantastic school Hope House is!’

We aim to enable pupils to:

· Have fun and enjoy learning

· Make progress and become as independent as possible.

· Build self-esteem and confidence

· Form positive relationships with others

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

We value the support and involvement of parents and carers. You can do this by:

· Attending Annual Review meetings

· Attending Parents Open Days

· Attending informal meetings and training workshops

· Volunteering to help with events

· Supporting the work of the Charity

If you have any worries about your child’s progress or welfare, please contact our Pupil Manager, Julie Hilton.

SAFEGUARDING

Hope House puts a high priority on children feeling safe and we take child protection very seriously. The School has a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy which includes Child Protection. This is available on our website or from the school office upon request.

We work closely with other agencies, including Social Care Services, to safeguard all the children in our care. All staff receive regular child protection training and we employ safe recruitment practices in relation to the employment of school staff.

BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT

For many of pupils the development of appropriate social behaviours is a priority. All our pupils have a detailed pupil profile and individual behaviour support plan and all staff have copies.

We are committed to creating an environment where the child feels safe and anxiety levels are kept low to avoid any child getting into a high anxiety state.

There may be occasions when discipline and/or sanctions are necessary, but we will always consider the pupil’s autistic behavior and level of understanding when we make a judgement about an incident.

We always promote, model and teach the behaviour that is expected in the society in which we live. There is an expected level of appropriate and acceptable behavior for each pupil and we work with our them to engage their understanding and co-operation regarding meeting these levels of behavioural expectations.

Permanent or fixed-term exclusions will never be used as we do not punish children for being autistic and we do not believe that it works as a sanction.

‘My son often gets upset if it’s a weekend or there’s a school holiday and he can’t go to school.’

SCHOOL UNIFORM

While we believe that that wearing a school uniform encourages a sense of belonging and identity for our pupils, we understand autistic children can have sensory issues about wearing certain clothes. We therefore do not insist that they wear it, although we would encourage them if appropriate.

We understand being uncomfortable or anxious about what they are wearing can be detrimental to a child’s emotional well-being.

The suggested uniform consists of:

· Dark grey or black trousers or skirt

· Royal blue sweat shirt or hoodie with the Hope House logo

· White polo shirt with logo

All shoes should be low heeled and trainers are allowed. Pupils need outdoor coats appropriate to the season.

If you wish your child to wear sun cream in hot weather, please apply it in the morning or send some into school clearly named and labelled and with written permission for staff to apply it.

We strongly recommend hats or caps in hot weather.

Please also provide a suitable swimming costume and towel if swimming forms part of your child’s curriculum.

No jewellery should be worn except for identity/medical bracelets or necklaces, watches and stud earrings.

Please make sure that all uniform is clearly labelled with the child’s name.

ILLNESS

Pupils who are unwell should not be sent to school. Please consider the vulnerability of some of our pupils to illness that is easily passed around. Children who have been ill with sickness or diarrhoea should stay at home for 48 hours after their last bout of illness.

We will try to contact you if your child is taken ill during the day but will, in the first instance, seek advice from our First Aid trained staff in school. Relevant services will be called in all cases of emergency.

MEDICATION

If your child requires medication to be administered in school, please ensure that you have filled in and signed the necessary permission forms, and provided medication in a suitable container which is clearly labelled with the child’s name and the correct dosage.

Give the form and medication to the escort if travelling on school vehicle or taxi, otherwise contact the school office.

This also applies to any emergency or rescue medication your child may require such as asthma inhalers or medication for epilepsy.

ABSENCE

If your child is ill and cannot attend school, please telephone the school as soon as possible so that we can alert the driver of the appropriate school vehicle. If it is out of school hours, please leave a message on the answerphone.

If your child comes to school by taxi, then it is your responsibility to alert the taxi company.

‘I am over the moon with the support that is being provided for my son and the teaching is perfect.

He looks forward to coming to school and talks about his teacher. His individual timetable is brilliant’

We can authorize absence for sickness, medical appointments, religious festivals and family bereavement. Holidays are expected to be taken during normal school holidays.

If you wish to take your child out of school during term time, a request form must be filled in and permission sought ahead of time.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

We teach Religious Education in accordance with the requirements of the Education Reform Act 1998 and within the framework of the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus, adapted to meet the needs of our pupils. We aim to promote values consistent with a caring, democratic and multi-cultural society.

Parents/carers may request in writing that their child be withdrawn from Religious Education lessons. However, requests for withdrawal are often based on a misunderstanding of the nature and function of RE and we would wish to discuss this further before a final decision is made.

SCHOOL SECURITY

We are very conscious of the need to ensure that the school is safe and secure. Although external doors to all the buildings are kept unlocked, our grounds are surrounded by a high security fence and the only gate is kept locked whenever children are on site.

All visitors are escorted to the school office to sign in and collect a visitor’s badge.

BRITISH VALUES

Hope House School aims to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. We promote fundamental British values through teaching about democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

‘There has been an unbelievable change in my granddaughter and it is down to you all at Hope House.

We are over the moon.’

WHAT MAKES HOPE HOUSE DIFFERENT?

We are a small independent highly specialized school for children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. We have provision for a maximum of 25 pupils, which allows us to create a ‘family’ feel and to ensure that what we do is truly child-centered and individualized.

We accept children and young people from the age of five years up to nineteen years and they all have a staff ratio of one-to-one or two-to-one. Although the children are mainly taught in small peer groups, each child has access to his or her own learning room, which they can personalize.

Each pupil has a key worker who provides constant and consistent support throughout the school day. Our creative and imaginative approach, plus the low-stimulus environment, ensures that anxiety levels are kept to a minimum. Meltdowns are rare and although all members of staff are trained in MAPA (Management of Actual and Potential Aggression), restraint is very rarely needed.

Socialization is high on our list of priorities and where necessary a structured interaction programme will be drawn up for pupils who struggle to cope. We encourage individual pupils to socialize and collaborate on games and learning activities to promote positive peer relationships.

We have an Animal Unit on site and we can provide a range of therapies such as Reading to Dogs, Animal Assisted Learning, therapeutic animal care and riding therapy.

Each pupil has his or her own personalized curriculum which can include National Curriculum,

GCSEs, ASDAN qualifications and Functional Skills. We also arrange work experience, both internally and externally. We currently have pupils doing car maintenance in a local garage, assisting with a local Mother and Toddler Group and gardening in the community.

New pupils usually have a phased transition, with some pupils attending for only a few hours per week at first, gradually building up to full-time attendance as and when they are ready.

We understand many of our children have experienced failure in both mainstream and generic special schools where expectations have been more focused on the complex skills of academic subjects without the necessary sensory or language foundations being in place.

Our unique approach ensures that our children and young people excel through input from our multi-disciplinary team of therapists and educators. The impact that the child’s autism has on their daily life is assessed and monitored throughout their time at Hope House and this enables us to put into place strategies to maximize learning, in terms of both academic achievement and life skills.

‘Pupils’ improving behaviour is the result of good personal development and, in particular,

their engagement with the Animal Unit.’ Ofsted 2014

ANIMAL UNIT

Our Animal Unit is an integral part of what we do at Hope House School, providing Animal Assisted Therapy, therapeutic animal care and Animal Assisted Learning. Just being around animals and caring for them can be hugely beneficial both physically and mentally.

We have a range of different animals for our therapy sessions, including horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, cats, dogs, barn owl, lizard, invertebrates, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Reading to Dogs has proved extremely effective in terms of motivating reluctant readers and

providing a totally non-judgmental ‘audience’ for pupils who struggle to read fluently.

Riding for the Disabled

We are also a registered Riding for the Disabled Centre and therapeutic riding sessions are now on the curriculum for many of our pupils. All our riders have the opportunity to work towards proficiency tests, the ASDAN Horse Riding and Stable Management qualification as well as compete in the National Championships.

Our RDA group is also open to the children and young people who attend our clubs and befriending service.

Older pupils are able to do the ASDAN Animal Care qualification where they can specialise in an animal of their choice if they so wish, including horses and donkeys.

We currently have 40 laying hens in our poultry unit and a group of our older pupils are running it as part of their ASDAN Enterprise course. The pupils are responsible for keeping the accounts as well as for the daily care of the hens, which includes feeding and cleaning out the coops. They also ‘employ’ some of the younger children as egg collectors. The eggs are sold to a local bakery as well as to members of the local community, staff and parents.

‘I have noticed a dramatic improvement in KH, who I have known for over 10 years. He has become a positive young person who has hopes and aspirations for his future.’

Animal Assisted Learning

Animal Assisted Learning is extremely successful in terms of motivating disaffected learners. Including animals in learning sessions often brings positive results when conventional approaches have failed.

This includes interventions such as dyslexia support where pupils, who may have had a very negative experience with reading and writing in the past, are able to engage and progress.

‘I am really pleased with my son’s start and his positive attitude. No other school has ever bothered to give us positive feedback …you have given us back our lives – before, we didn’t have one.’

PASTORAL CARE

Hope House School provides children with a caring and motivating environment where they feel safe and valued. Each child is treated with dignity and their rights respected. Our staff have relevant child protection training.

We have an open-door policy for parents and carers who are welcome to visit or contact us. Building partnerships with parents and carers is an important part of each child’s education.

We develop individual tutoring and care plans with each child in consultation with parents/carers and the appropriate external agencies. Maintaining a consistent approach at home and at school ensures the greatest success for your child.

Parents also receive information and support in a variety of ways including Parent’s Open Days, workshops, consultations with visiting professionals and home visits.

RE-INTEGRATION INTO MAINSTREAM

Pupil progress is closely monitored and their readiness for re-integration will always be at the forefront of any discussion. The timing of re-

integration and the approach taken will be agreed with all parties affected, including the pupil.

The process will be gradual, working closely with the target school and the staff receiving the pupil. Other professionals involved and parents/carers will also be consulted.

We envisage that by the time the transition takes place, pupils will know what to expect and what will be expected from them in a mainstream setting.

‘Before my son became part of the Hope House family, I was told daily what a violent and

aggressive child he is. Getting positive daily reports melts my heart every day.

Thank you all for being so wonderful.’

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Hope House School specifically caters for those children who are diagnosed as being within the Autism spectrum and would not, or are not, benefiting from mainstream education.

Therefore, children applying to attend Hope House School will need to have a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education Health and Care Plan and be aged between five years and nineteen years.

The admission procedure aims for all parties to have relevant and adequate information available on the child and their needs, ensuring appropriate decisions can be made. Hope House aims to maintain effective communication with Local Authorities to enhance the provision of quality education.

It is the goal of Hope House School to assist (where deemed appropriate) as many pupils as possible in making the transition back into mainstream education.

With this in mind, we will consider flexible timescale contracts with Local Authorities, which are reviewed regularly and agreed upon, given the individual requirements and development of the child.

Written applications from Local Authorities wishing to make a referral are welcomed. County Councils are responsible for pupil fees, transport costs and arrangements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Written application from Local Authority (or parent)

· A meeting and visit is arranged with Hope House School’s Pupil Manager and School Principal. Parents/Carers and any other involved health professional must accompany the child.

· Following the meeting and visit, all relevant information and recommendations are passed onto the Admissions Committee who will inform the Local Authority and parents/Carers accordingly.

· An offer of a place with an admission date will be sent to the funding authority and parents/Carers.

· Each pupil is admitted on a 4-month trial and assessment period.

‘So impressed – a completely inspirational place!’

THERAPIES

Hope House School is committed to providing a holistic approach to nurture, learning and development for children and young people with an ASD.

For some children and young people there is an element of sensory over-, or under-, stimulation that can impact on daily life. Pupils are regularly assessed using our Autism Progress software which helps to guide the development of support strategies and therapies. It plots the impact that a child’s autism has on his or her functioning and provides strategies for reducing the negative effects.

Using autism descriptors as a base, it consists of a set of progressive levels in the following areas:

· communication

· flexibility of thought

· social interaction

· emotional regulation

· sensory and perceptual motor

Once a child has been assessed, we can work with the therapy team to put together a unique package to support the child’s individual needs as part of their education.

Therapies at Hope House School include:

· Occupational Therapy (Sensory Integration)

· Speech and Language Therapy

· Music Therapy

· Theraplay

· Hydrotherapy

· The Listening Programme

· Riding Therapy

· Animal Assisted Learning

· Therapeutic Animal care

Complementary Therapy:

· Indian Head Massage

· Remedial Massage

· Reflexology

· Aromatherapy

· Manicure and Pedicure Treatments

‘…from the moment of my arrival (the staff) indicated to me that they had a thorough understanding of ASD and PDA…’

M. Davis, Consultant Educational and Neuropsychologist

SCHOOL POLICIES

Hope House School adheres to the policies contained in: The Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2003 School policy documents are available at the school for all parents or interested parties on request:

· Anti-Bullying Policy

· Animal School Policy

· Behaviour and Discipline Policy and Procedures

· Child Protection Policy

· Complimentary Therapy Policy

· Complaints Procedure

· Community Policy

· Confidentiality Policy

· Curriculum Policy

· Disability Equality Scheme

· Environmental Policy

· Equal Opportunities Policy

· Fire Risk Assessment

· First Aid Policy

· Guidelines and Procedures for Health and Safety of Participants on School Visits and Activities off School Premises

· Health and Safety Policy

· Healthy Eating Policy

· Health Care Policy

· Intimate Care Policy

· Leadership and Management Policy

· Medication Policy

· Mobile Phone Policy

· No Smoking Policy

· Physical Education Policy

· Plans and Schemes of Work

· Pupil Health and Well-being Policy

· Recruitment and Selection Process

· Safeguarding Children Policy

· Supervision Policy

· Transition Policy

· Transportation of Children Policy

· Volunteer Policy

CLUBS

‘I can’t believe that we have got to such a great stage in M’s life that we can say, ‘Thank you and goodbye!’

You have helped her become more sociable and blossom into a much happier child who is more equipped to deal with life.’

Club parent

Our After-School and Saturday Clubs offer a wide variety of activities, including crafts, baking, cooking, adventure playground, football, bouncy castle and indoor games such as Wii and chess. We also encourage the children to go outside their comfort zone by taking part in activities such as horse riding and rock climbing, both of which are hugely popular.

Sessions are tailored to meet the needs of every individual member and we place a focus on developing social skills and building on their core life skills.

We also run a Drama Therapy Club and Lego Therapy Club, as well as a Siblings Club for brothers and sisters.

BEFRIENDING

Our staff offer a befriending service to the wider autistic community.

This is a special and unique service that is vital to some parents, carers and children.

The principle of this service is developing a 1:1 relationship between a key worker and a child or young person. The key worker will take the child out into the community and engage in activities that the child or young person enjoys.  This could be going out for dinner, playing laser quest, going bowling etc.

This key worker will always be the same for the child, allowing for a role model type figure to grow.

A befriender may be able to offer anywhere between 2 hours of respite a week up to 4 hours plus, depending on their schedule and the child or young adults’ needs. 

This service can be incredibly important to the family or carers of the child and we know from the feedback we receive that the child or young adult looks forward to their befriending time!

To enquire about either Clubs or Befriending, please contact Matthew Dolby via the following methods or visit our website:    

email:       matthew.dolby@hopehouseschool.co.ukmobile:     07904217652

CURRICULUM

‘The curriculum gives pupils the opportunity to succeed, particularly by building

on their own strengths and interests.’ Ofsted 2014

We provide a broad, balanced curriculum based on the needs of individual leaners, as outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plan or Statement of Special Educational Needs which is broken down into annual review targets and termly IEP targets.

Lower School

Our curriculum in Lower School is designed to help our learners develop essential Learn to Learn skills. If our pupils know how to learn, they are more likely to take up learning opportunities and be motivated to learn.  Learning to learn, which develops metacognition and self-regulation strategies for learning, is therefore an important part of helping everyone become confident lifelong learners. 

Pupils develop new skills and knowledge through a creative curriculum brought together to form a topic or theme which delivers their curriculum entitlement of the core and foundation subjects, alongside Religious Education and PSHE.

Phonics is taught following the Letters and Sounds publication (DfE) supported by Jolly Phonics and Lexia.

Upper School

Our Upper School learners are placed into groups according to age and/or ability. The secondary curriculum ensures that learners continue to receive their curriculum entitlement, along with RE and PSHE.

All pupils have the opportunity to study GCSEs, a range of ASDAN courses, including CoPE, Functional Skills as well as vocational

learning and life skills. These include weekly Food Technology sessions with our resident chef.

Children who are struggling with core skills, such as those with dyslexia or dyscalculia, are referred to a senior teacher for additional support. This could take the form of daily sessions which can be Animal Assisted’. (Please see the section on our Animal Unit for information on Animal Assisted Learning.)

Post 16

Students in our Post 16 unit follow a curriculum designed to prepare them for life beyond school. This builds upon students’ prior learning in literacy, numeracy and ICT. They also have the opportunity to do GCSEs, ASDAN qualifications, complete voluntary work, achieve a Duke of Edinburgh Award, participate in residential visits, carry out work experience placements and attend local college courses.

HOW TO FIND US

From the North (A1): Leave the A1 at the junction signposted ‘Newark, Balderton‘, (this is the last signpost to Newark). At the first roundabout off the slip road take the 3rd exit signposted to ‘Newark, Balderton ‘. At the next roundabout take the first exit signposted to ‘Newark, Balderton’. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Main Street. Take the third road to the left (Bullpit Road) which is opposite the Church. Travel along this road for about 1 mile passing over a level crossing. At the T-junction turn left in to Barnby Road. Hope House School is the first major building on the right

From the South (A1): Leave the A1 at the junction signposted ‘Newark, Balderton ‘, (this is the first signpost to Newark). At the roundabout take the second exit signposted to ‘Newark, Balderton’. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Main Street. Take the third road to the left (Bullpit Road) which is opposite the Church. Travel along this road for about 1 mile passing over a level crossing. At the T-junction turn left in to Barnby Road. Hope House School is the first major building on the right

From Nottingham (A46): Pass by the village of Farndon and at the roundabout take the 3rd exit signposted ‘Newark’. You will enter Newark via Victoria Street. At the first major set of Traffic lights turn right onto London Road (signposted to ‘Balderton’). At the next traffic lights turn left into Sherwood Avenue. At the next set of traffic lights (not pelican crossing) turn right into Barnby Gate. Follow this road out of Newark as it becomes Barnby Road, passing over a level crossing. After about ¾ mile Hope House School is on your left.

From Lincoln (A46): Drive into Newark along

Lincoln Road and then North Gate. You will pass Halfords on your left. At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Queens Road. Pass over the first mini roundabout. At the second mini roundabout turn right up Friary Road. At the traffic lights turn left into Barnby Gate. Follow this road out of Newark as it becomes Barnby Road, passing over a level crossing. After about ¾ mile Hope House School is on you left.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Website: www.hopehouseschool.co.uk

Email: enquiries@hopehouseschool.co.uk

Telephone: 01636 700380

Mail address: Terri Westmoreland

Hope House School,

Barnby Road,

Newark,

Nottinghamshire,

NG24 3NE