 THE SCHOOL FACILITIES
Hope House School has been created from the renovation of a substantial, but derelict Edwardian hospital on the outskirts of Newark. The site has a number of separate buildings, some of which are still under renovation. Ultimately the school will provide day facilities for up to forty children with boarding for a small number of pupils.
The school overlooks countryside and has extensive landscaped grounds, which are ideal for physical activity and sports.
|
|
Sensory Facilities |
|
|
There are several facilities at Hope House School which are designed to enhance and support our sensory therapy.
 Sensory Room | The indoor sensory room is equipped with fibre-optic lights, vibrating pads, tactile walls and many other sensory stimuli. This specially designed room creates a calm and comfortable environment for our sensory therapy. |
| The indoor spa area at the school houses a full-sized Jacuzzi hot tub. We have found this to be a wonderful and enjoyable haven for children and it has proved to be very popular. |  Jacuzzi |
 Sensory Garden | Outdoor learning is key to our approach at Hope House School. Our beautiful landscaped sensory garden is a tranquil place to nurture and teach. We encourage children to help maintain the garden and choose additions to further enhance it. |
|
|
|
Animal Care |
|
|
The focus on animal care is one of the areas which make Hope House School very special. We know that many children with A.S.D. find animals a great comfort. We have found that animals can calm children’s behaviour.
Special relationships have been built with the pets at Hope House School and we are able to structure our learning and therapy around animal care.
| Hope House School is home to a variety of animals and pets. We have two special trainee autism assistance dogs Honey (who is a black Labrador) and Toast (who is a golden Labrador). Their warm and gentle natures translate to the children who care for them. |  Toast and Honey |
 Faith and Charity | Many visitors at Hope House School are welcomed by Faith and Charity our characterful miniature Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. They love having their backs scratched and they show this by wriggling their tails! |
Our hen coup houses 6 egg-laying hens and children are encouraged to collect the eggs.
The newest members of the Hope House animal family are Kenny and Chloe, young donkeys and their best friend Bella, a Shetland pony. They live in a paddock on the school site.
There are smaller pets such as rabbits and a guinea pig for children to handle and care for. We encourage everyone at the school to help in the care and husbandry of our animals.
|  Hen House |
|
|
|
Play Facilities |
|
|
 Summer House | The large amount for space at Hope House School allows pupils to run around and let off steam. There are ample play facilities on offer. For the younger children there is a fabulous two-storey play house and outdoor play set with swings and slides. |
| For all pupils there is a large trampoline which is accessed at ground level and fully surrounded by safety netting. A specially designed hole sits below the trampoline enabling the children to bounce as high as they want, with no risk of them tumbling out. |  Outside Play Equipment |
There is also a range of indoor play facilities including Nintendo Wii. |
|
|
Hands-on Experience |
|
|
|
Kinaesthetic learning is widely used in our approach to teaching at Hope House School. The school owns a car which can be used for hands-on learning. Pupils can take the engine apart to aid understanding on the mechanics of how this and other motorised machinery works. Also in the grounds is a wildlife garden which the pupils can help to maintain.
 Bird Feeder
|
|
|
