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  • Sheiling School
    Thornbury Park
    Park Road
    Thornbury
    South Gloucestershire
    BS35 1HP
  • Head: Mr Dean Frances-Hawksley
  • T 01454 412194
  • F 01454 411860
  • E mail@sheilingschool.org.uk
  • W www.sheilingschool.org.uk
  • A special independent school for boys and girls aged from 6 to 19. Type of SEN provision: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty; SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty.
  • Boarding: Yes
  • Local authority: South Gloucestershire
  • Pupils: 39
  • Religion: None
  • Fees: Dependent on needs - Funded by Local Authorities - Private funding possible
  • Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report

What the school says...

An independent co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 7-19 with special educational needs, and a community of the international Camphill Movement. The school is a holistic therapeutic environment with a high level of commitment to the needs of the pupils and constant liaison between those involved in education, care and therapy. There is an unusual degree of cohesion and continuity which gives the pupils security, stability and confidence. Excellent Ofsted and CSCI reports are available.

Boarding pupils live together with houseparents and co-workers in five households on a beautiful private estate of parkland and farmland on the edge of the small town. All care staff are fully resident and the experienced houseparents are responsible for guiding and supervising other co-workers in their daily care and support for the pupils. Each day is ordered according to a familiar routine.

Education is based on the Rudolf Steiner Curriculum, adapted for pupils with learning disabilities. Classes are small mixed groups, including ASD, formed according to age rather than ability, with particular attention to the special needs of each individual and a high degree of continuity among the teachers. Block-period subject lessons are presented to the class as a whole. Literacy, numeracy and other skills are taught one-to-one or in small groups.
The school has its own swimming pool, gymnasium and craft centre including woodwork, pottery and weaving. Therapies include speech and language, art and eurythmy. Healthy nutrition is a priority, with high quality food provided by the schools own biodynamic farm and garden.
'Pupils make excellent progress in terms of their confidence, security and ability to manage their own behaviour. The school provides very good value for money.'(OFSTED).
'A unique environment' (CSCI).
...Read more

This is not currently a GSG-reviewed school.

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Special Education Needs

The school's approach is based on a holistic perspective, which includes social, spiritual and academic learning. The Campill/Steiner-Waldorf approach to education provides a rich and varied range of learning experiences, and is well monitored and supported. All co-workers involved in residential care for the pupils are fully resident and involved in all aspects of the daily life of the community. The provision for each pupil is actively supported by everyone concerned, with constant liaison between those involved in school, house, therapy and medical care. Pupils make excellent progress in terms of their confidence, security and ability to manage their own behaviour.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
English as an additional language (EAL)
Genetic
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class
HI - Hearing Impairment
Hospital School
Mental health
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Y
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Y
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
VI - Visual Impairment

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