North Hill House

Since 2023, Michael Pearce. Began his teaching career as PE teacher in mainstream schools. Prior to joining North Hill House School was deputy headteacher at Newbury Manor School in Mells, and previously assistant headteacher at a special school in

Pupils all have a diagnosis of Asperger's, autism or associated difficulties. The school also accepts children with mental health issues, PDA, and attachment issues. Assessments involve visits by the child and family, plus taster sessions. As well as

Around 25 per cent of year 11s move onto Farleigh FE College (almost next door), with a further 25 per cent going to mainstream colleges without support. Others to colleges with the support of North Hill, while the rest stay at North Hill for bespoke

Part of Aspris Children’s Services, North Hill House provides specialist day and residential education for 6-19 year-olds with autism and associated conditions. Many pupils have previous negative experiences in education and tend to arrive here

The classroom that impressed the most was art. It defies any expectations of autistic-style undecorated walls as it is bursting at the seams with displays and explosions of colour. Some absolutely fantastic creations and very high standards. Parents

Very little in the way of sporting facilities apart from a tarmacked area used as a football pitch and a playground. North Hill is predominantly a boys school so football is the main sport. Plans and funding has been secured to replace this with for

The boarding cohort is small. Children can board from the age of 8, but currently only secondary age children do. Placements are for 38 weeks. Weekly boarders arrive from Wales, Bristol, London, and Dorset in taxis on Monday morning and leave Friday

Parents agree that the therapy work at North Hill is highly successful. One parent told us, ‘His improvement has been outstanding - his social skills have been continually improving, he no longer feels socially isolated. The amazing therapy team

One parent told us her daughter 'had a very low self-esteem when she joined the school - she has definitely grown in confidence and become very driven'. Each child is allocated an academic and pastoral tutor who they meet with every day. There is

Considering around 30 per cent of pupils have significant social skills needs, we were impressed by how sociable and chatty pupils were. There’s a pretty relaxed, informal atmosphere as pupils go about their day on different timetables.

After a

Open to self-funding.

North Hill House has been going through a period of change with a new head and a new broader intake and curriculum. Where the school seems to excel is in providing pupils with the tools to cope with life better. They focus on social skills, managing