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Hope House School

Hope House School is a unique school which will transform the lives of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders through one-to-one tutoring in individual classrooms.

A Unique School

Individuality will be the cornerstone of our approach. Pupils are taught in individual teaching rooms designed to provide the calm environment they find most conducive to learning. Research has shown that a simple room with no distractions, careful lighting and neutral décor works best and this is what Hope House offers as a starting point.

Many children with Autism have sensory issues which affect how they feel, how they respond to their environment and certainly affects their level of alertness for learning. Our approach is to work on pupils’ sensory processing skills, and their basic attention and communication to create a foundation on which to build. We gradually move towards higher cognitive learning as required in literacy and numeracy.  Each pupil receives a holistic therapy and learning plan, tailored to meet their needs. Individualised plans of learning are developed based on educational need as well as therapeutic need in order for each child to be able to access the curriculum.  A key aspect which makes Hope House special is the intrinsic part that animals play in school life. It is well documented that pets can provide great comfort and reassurance to children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Our pupils are encouraged to be fully involved with the animals on the school site.

 

The Inspiration

Terri Westmoreland was inspired to create a school children with autism through the plight of her grandson Hugh who suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Opitz which is on the Autistic Spectrum. Through her research into autism, Terri discovered many A.S.D. children find attending school a torment.

After several years of fund-raising terri has founded Hope House School with the ambition of providing transformational education for children with autism.

Special Pupils

Terri and Hugh
Terri and Hugh
Hope House School will benefit all children on the Autistic Spectrum, but particularly those who find mainstream education, or even placement in a specialist provision, a real struggle. Many children with autism find the hurly-burly of the classroom overwhelming. They need a calm environment to realise their true ability and potential, and a far greater amount of space and time than mainstream schools can provide. They are children who, given the right kind of educational environment, will cope very well with life but who, without it, may well continue to struggle.

Ultimately we aim for the majority of our pupils to make a successsful transition back into mainstream education once it is agreed they are ready.
 
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