welcome TO ACORN SCHOOL
We are an independent co-educational school which provides a supportive learning environment for Pupils from Key Stage 2-4 with Social, Emotional, Mental Health difficulties, Autism and/or Specific Learning Difficulties.
I am privileged to be the Headteacher of this nurturing school, where the individual Child is at the heart of what we do. We recognise that every Pupil is different, yet equal, and all Team Members are committed to treating each individual with inclusion, compassion and understanding. We understand that every Pupil will have different needs and offer a safe and encouraging learning environment where Pupils can feel supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
At Acorn School we aim to help our Pupils to overcome their individual challenges by supporting them with underlying difficulties that may be leading to displays of frustration. A carefully planned and bespoke curriculum, which includes social development as well as academic and vocational learning allows our Pupils to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Zoey Shelley
Executive Headteacher
- Small class sizes
- 42 places, mixed gender
- In-house integrated therapies team
- Key stage 2-4
- 1:1 support available
- Broad and balanced curriculum offer
TAKE THE TOUR
DELIVERING OUR VALUES
At Acorn School, the individual needs of our Pupils are at the heart of all that we do.
We work closely with our Pupils, Parents, Carers and Professionals to create bespoke programmes of learning, which are tailored to their education, social and emotional needs, supporting them to achieve their full potential. This means that we deliver a personalised curriculum, which, where possible, acknowledges the national curriculum and meets the individual needs of our Pupils, whilst also supporting them to meet the outcomes identified in their Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).
To achieve this, every Pupil has an individual Pathway Plan and Provision Map which identifies their areas of need and how we can best address them, both in terms of Team Member approach and the curriculum that they are provided. Our goal is to provide access to the best academic outcomes possible as well as preparing our Pupils for adulthood and the next stage of their education by equipping them with the skills required to achieve personal success.
OUR CORE OFFER
Acorn School supports Pupils between the ages of 8 and 16 who have difficulties with their social, emotional and mental health, as well as other complex needs often associated with Autism, Attachment & Trauma .
At Acorn School we aim to provide a caring learning environment where Pupils can experience positive learning opportunities that will enable them to develop their full potential socially, emotionally, academically and physically. We aim for our Pupils to develop their feelings of self-worth, grow intellectually, build positive relationships and develop their life and social skills in order that they will become happy, confident and valued members of society.
Our therapeutic core offer
We have high expectations for every Pupil and believe that all Pupils can achieve, thrive and succeed when provided with the right support.
Our aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and positive learning environment where Pupils feel valued, understood and able to learn effectively. Through a personalised approach, we support Pupils to develop academically, socially and emotionally whilst building confidence, resilience and independence.
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum alongside a wide range of enrichment opportunities that enable Pupils to discover new interests, develop skills and experience success. Pupils are supported to work towards appropriate qualifications, accreditations and recognised outcomes that reflect their individual abilities, interests and future aspirations. We work closely with Parents, Carers and Professionals to ensure that every Pupil receives consistent support and is well prepared for future education, employment and adult life.
As a specialist provision for Pupils with complex SEND needs, we deliver bespoke educational and therapeutic programmes tailored to each individual.
Our curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of our Pupils, ensuring barriers to learning can be identified and addressed. As an attachment and trauma aware school, we recognise that all behaviour is communication and seek to understand the needs that sit behind it.
What truly sets us apart is our integrated therapeutic approach. Our on-site Integrated Therapies Team works closely with Leaders, Teachers and Pupils to ensure therapeutic support is embedded throughout the school day. Rather than being separate from education, therapy forms part of everyday school life, helping Pupils develop the skills they need to regulate emotions, build relationships and engage successfully in learning.
We also maintain strong partnerships with families, local authorities and external professionals to provide joined-up support throughout a Pupil’s school journey and during key periods of transition.
Every Pupil benefits from a personalised package of education, therapeutic support and intervention designed around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations.
- Small class sizes with additional support where required.
- Bespoke learning programmes including targeted literacy and numeracy interventions
- Specialist differentiated teaching.
- GCSE, Functional Skills, and other accreditation pathways.
- Weekly enrichment, outdoor learning and self-esteem building activities.
- Rigorous academic and developmental progress tracking.
- Regular reviews with Parents and Carers to discuss progress and agree targets.
We believe that every Pupil has the right to therapeutic support alongside their education. We recognise that the two are not mutually exclusive, which is why our on-site Integrated Therapies Team (ITT) works closely with Leaders, Teachers and Pupils to ensure therapeutic support is embedded throughout the school day.
Therapeutic support is an integral part of each Pupil’s individual education programme and is designed to meet their social, emotional, behavioural and communication needs. Through assessment, observation, interaction and information gathering, we develop personalised therapeutic approaches that enable Pupils to grow, develop and engage successfully in learning.
Pupils may access:
- Creative Arts Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Individual therapeutic interventions
- Group-based therapeutic programmes
Our therapeutic provision is clinically driven and tailored to individual need. Support may include direct therapeutic intervention, such as one-to-one sessions with a Therapist, alongside indirect therapeutic programmes and strategies delivered throughout the school day. Interventions may be time-limited or ongoing, depending on need and regular clinical review.
The Integrated Therapies Team also provides:
- Consultation and guidance for Teachers and Team Members.
- Support with EHCP reviews and multi-agency meetings.
- Behaviour and emotional regulation strategies.
- Risk management and safeguarding consultation.
- Classroom observations and feedback.
- Sensory environment recommendations.
- Communication-friendly environment support.
- Support for education teams in delivering therapeutic approaches and programmes, such as Zones of Regulation.
- Training, modelling and reflective practice for Team Members.
Our therapeutic model is grounded in attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice. We believe that positive outcomes are achieved when the whole environment supports a Pupil’s growth and development. By working collaboratively with education teams, families and professionals, we create a nurturing environment where Pupils feel safe, understood and supported to flourish.
REFERRALS & ADMISSIONS
Pupil intake to Acorn School is determined through an assessment process. Parents/Carers and professionals are welcome to contact the school for more information once you have read our prospectus. We take applications at all points of the year.
- Parents/Carers and Professionals contact school for information.
- Parents/Carers inform Local Authority of their school preferences.
- Local authority consults Petherton Park School.
- Senior Leadership Team assesses whether Pupil needs can be met.
- Further information may be required at this stage.
- Home visit or School visit arranged.
- Parents/Carers and Pupil invited for admissions interview.
- Final decision made by Senior Leadership Team.
- Local Authority informed of decision and education package agreed.
- Admission Pack sent out to Parents/Carers to be completed and signed.
- Individual risk assessment and positive behavioural support plan created.
- All information added to School Information Systems.
- Transport arranged through the Local Authority.
- Clear transition plan created.
- Pupil starts at Acorn School.
- Baseline assessments commence.
