Orchard Manor is an independent specialist school for autistic children and young people aged 5–16. Our curriculum is designed around autism and related needs and is supported by our fully integrated clinical team.
We recognise that our pupils have a wide range of academic and cognitive abilities, along with unique communication and learning styles. To meet these diverse needs, we offer tailored pathways that provide the right level of support and challenge.
We are passionate about helping our pupils achieve their potential. More than that, we prioritise what matters most to them, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
Respecting each young person as an individual, we empower them to make choices, and every staff member is dedicated to advocating for the pupils they support.
We also work in close partnership with families, recognising our shared commitment to young people’s well-being and valuing the insight and experience that families bring.
Orchard Manor School Ethos
At Orchard Manor School, we are committed to enhancing the lives of all our young people so they can all become Curious, Confident, Courageous, Communicators and life-long learners, in our community this is known as “the Four C’s”.
Everything we do as a school is underpinned by the following fundamental values that combine to support all pupils to become Curious, Confident, Courageous, Communicators and life-long learners.
The ethos also aligns with a famous, and very relevant statement, by T.S. Eliot in 1931 –
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
Facilitating positive outcomes for our pupils, academically, vocationally, and emotionally, will enable the following:
Supporting our children to be:
Safe – be safe, feel safe, and understand risk.
Understanding – be effective and successful communicators
Kind – be kind to all around them, to understand and respect the needs of others.
Happy – be healthy and happy individuals who enjoy coming to school.
Ambitious – have goals and dreams for their futures and be supported to achieve them.
Successful – find regular achievement and celebrate this as part of a community.
Intent
Curriculum Mission Statement
At Orchard Manor, we want our pupils to be immersed in a curriculum that supports them to experience and develop an understanding of;
· skills to support functional communication, interaction, and reading skills, enabling effective communication and safe access to a variety of community settings and wider learning opportunities.
· skills to support emotional regulation, linked to physical and sensory needs, ensuring safe access to a variety of community settings and wider learning opportunities.
· skill to support social, emotional, and mental health, developing independent living and life skills that will support safe access to a variety of community settings and wider learning opportunities.
· what it means to be a human and how human behaviour impacts and shapes the world they live in.
· the visual, cultural, social and environmental aspects of the wider world and where they live / and attend school in Norfolk.
· the natural world and an appreciation for the animal species that inhabit the world and live alongside them.
· how to compare through the investigation and exploration of various processes and materials.
· the significance of people, places, events and inventions that have helped to change the world in which they live