Who are we?
Breckenbrough is more than just a school. It provides a nurturing and therapeutic environment, which enables boys from 9 to 19 to successfully access a curriculum that meets their needs and interests. We are especially successful with students who are diagnosed with Autism, but also work effectively with others who want to learn and develop but have found it difficult to do so.
- We have been successfully working with young people for over 50 years.
- We are a non-profit making charity, whose Governing Board is appointed by Quakers in Yorkshire.
- We are housed in a modernised Victorian country house with 10 acres of grounds in the heart of beautiful North Yorkshire, close to good road and rail links.
- We accept students from all over the country who have an EHCP.
- We make provision for day students, and weekly boarders. All placements are for 38 weeks. Boarders have their own rooms and can access good social and domestic facilities.
- We work hard to provide a safe, calm environment where our students can rebuild their self-esteem, develop appropriate social skills, become independent and succeed academically.
- We avoid punishment and work with our students to understand that actions have consequences so that we can work together to find ways of achieving positive consequences. We apply conflict resolution and restorative practice when things go wrong.
- We employ a full time registered psychologist, a full time Occupational Therapist, a part time Speech and Language Therapist and can provide other therapies as necessary in meeting need.
- We aim to enable our students to access further and higher education, training or work and to live rewarding and successful lives.
What else do I need to know?
- There is excellent regular communication between the school, parents/carers and local authorities.
- We encourage parents to work in collaboration with the School.
- Staff have up-to-date training in specialisms relating to our students.
- Work experience and regular opportunities to integrate with the local community are part of our provision.
- Progress is monitored daily, with termly reports for parents and local authorities. Weekly and daily reports are provided as required.
- Transition plans are developed and the school employs its own qualified careers advisor, who plays an important role in transition planning.
- Students can gain success in both academic and vocational subjects. The school has its own Sixth Form offering a wide range of A level subjects, but also works in partnership with other providers.
- All students are supported by their own key worker, who is the dedicated point of contact between home and school.
- On leaving, students successfully progress on to university, further education or the world of work.
- The journeys of our students do not end when they leave Breckenbrough. Our aftercare charity, ‘Beyond Breckenbrough’, tracks and supports students from when they leave school until they are 25, though we find the relationships and trust between a student and specific staff members continues to be supportive well into adult life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How does the school know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?
- All students who come to Breckenbrough have been identified as needing additional support and have an Education, Health and Care Plan.
- We maintain regular contact with parents and local authorities.
- We are especially successful with students who are diagnosed with Autism. We also work effectively with students who want to learn and develop but have found it difficult to do so in mainstream settings.
- How will school staff support my child/ young person?
- Each student has their own keyworker.
- Learning is individually tailored to the needs of each student and class sizes are kept small.
- School governors are appointed by Quakers in Yorkshire. Governors visit the school throughout the academic year with a specific focus for each visit. There are also designated link governors for each aspect of the curriculum and school.
- On leaving, students successfully progress onto university, further education or the world of work.
- How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s/young person’s needs?
- Each lesson is planned with consolidation and differentiation included.
- We aim for students experience a sense of achievement in each lesson.
- Individualised programmes focus on a student’s strengths and interests whilst providing support and intervention with areas of difficulty, especially within academic studies.
- How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s/young person’s learning?
- Staff are ready to discuss progress whenever parents/carers require it.
- The high staffing ratios in school result in the staff team have an excellent knowledge of each individual student.
- Clear targets are set for each student across the curriculum.
- Staff contact and talk with parents on a regular basis.
- We work in collaboration with parents so that good support can be offered outside the school day.
- Termly reports showing targets achievement and goals are shared at the end of each term. An opportunity to discuss progress with any staff member and any other area is offered at the end of each term.
- What support will there be for my child’s/young person’s overall wellbeing?
- Every student has a keyworker, who we hope to be the trusted and significant adult in their journey through school.
- Medicines are dispensed by social education staff following best practices.
- Each student’s needs are carefully monitored. Exclusions are an absolute last resort and behaviour is managed with care and compassion.
- Concerns can be raised with any member of staff and all comments are taken seriously.
- Good, trusting relationships are developed in school so that everyone knows they will be listened to.
- What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the school?
- All staff have specific training in the conditions that students present with. Training is regularly updated.
- Breckenbrough has a full time registered psychologist, a full time occupational therapist and a part time speech and language therapist. Other therapies can be provided where there is a need.
- What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had or are having?
- All staff support young people with SEND and have appropriate and up to date training. This is refreshed regularly.
- How will my child/young person be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?
- Outdoor education is a major part of our work with young people. Our aim is to include all students in all the activities we undertake. One to one support is provided when necessary, especially to build confidence in the early stages.
- Parents and carers are fully involved in planning the range of activities and trips.
- Field trips take place to support the curriculum but give opportunities to develop social skills and emotional maturity.
- How accessible is the school environment?
- The building is a modernised Victorian country house. All classrooms are fully wheelchair accessible but currently there is limited wheelchair accessibility to boarding facilities.
- The senior lesdership team are alert to the auditory and visual environment and update facilities when necessary.
- There are disabled changing and toilet facilities.
- The school would buy in appropriate support if there was a need to communicate with parent/carers whose first language is not English.
- All new equipment and facilities to support children and young people with special educational needs is assessed and part of the budget is designated for updating such equipment.
- How will the school prepare and support my child/ young person to join the school, transfer to the next stage of education and life?
- Breckenbrough has a thorough, phased assessment through which each student proceeds before a placement is offered. The exact process of an assessment depends on whether the student will be boarding or will be a day student.
- Transition plans are developed and the school employs its own qualified careers advisor who plays an important role in these.
- Comprehensive information will be provided to each student’s new setting to ensure success in the next stage of his development.
- Staff are designated to support the next stage of each student’s life. Beyond Breckenbrough tracks and supports students from when they leave school until they are 25. We remain available to each student for as long as necessary.
- How are the school’s resources allocated and matched to children’s/young people’s special educational needs?
- Breckenbrough is a non profit-making charity and, with the exception of modest governance and administration costs, all money received for each student is spent on them each year.
- How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?
- The needs of each young person are assessed based on the information that arrives with them supported by the professional input of our staff team. Support is allocated depending on need and the listed provision within the EHCP.
- Information from parents and carers is vital to this process, including within the annual review process.
- Discussion with parents and carers is an ongoing process. Clear targets are set and the effect of each type of support offered is measured against these.
- How are parents involved in the school? How can I be involved?
- Very regular contact with parents and carers is a key part of our work with each young person. This can be at the request of the parent/carer or at the request of the student. We value the input from parents and carers who often have the best information about what works for their son.
- Who can I contact for further information?
- If you wish to further your interest in Breckenbrough, the first point of contact would be Diane Walker (Office Manager) or Louise Walton, who will both be able to discuss the next stages of your enquiry.
- Once we initiate the assessment process, our Transitions Manager Carol Villiers, takes the lead as a point of contact whilst assessment takes place. As Post 16 Coordinator, Sally Johnson acts as a lead for students who are undertaking assessment for a place within the Sixth Form.
- If placed at Breckenbrough, you will be allocated allocated a keyworker who will be the key point of contact throughout the Breckenbrough journey. Carol Villiers and Sally Leck will continue their involvement until relationships and lines of communication are established.
- Every member of staff, including teachers, learning support assistants, therapists and your keyworker all have a role in your son’s education.
- Any member of staff is happy to talk to you. Simon Bannister is the Headteacher and John Margham is Chair of the Board of Governors.
- Diane Walker is the best person to approach in the first instance on 01845 587238 or [email protected]
- The local authority’s local offer is available on their website.
How can I find out more?
- Contact us through the website
- email us at [email protected]
- phone 01845 587238 to have an informal discussion
We look forward to hearing from you