Our school and children’s centre are open 52 weeks a year, and students with residential places have a choice of homes to live in, all of which are on the school site.
Young people are encouraged to achieve their maximum potential and supported to do this in the home and in the wider community.
Ofsted, 2011
Main residence
Our main school residence for children aged 11 to 19 is built around a central courtyard. It comprises three small homes - Ash, Beech and Chestnut - which are each home to five or six people. Students are accommodated according to their general and social needs and peer group friendships.
All young people have their own bedroom, which we encourage them to personalise. The homes have a sitting room, dining room, quiet room and specialist teaching kitchen. The young people are encouraged to care for their homes and participate in social activities and activities to develop their independent living skills.
Oak
Oak is a newly redeveloped modern and spacious home for four young people who have made considerable progress in moving towards supported living.
The accommodation is designed to allow students of all ages to experience independence while still accessing discreet support. Students will be responsible for decision-making on a range of issues, such as the planning, purchasing and cooking of meals.
All four bedrooms are en suite. There is a separate lounge and dining room, as well as a modern domestic-style kitchen. The accommodation is light, airy and comfortably fitted out.
I have been able to become more independent, I have chosen how I want my room. I am going to school now every day. I am so happy.
Student
Orchard House
Orchard House is our brand new accommodation for the older students of our post-16 college. It has been carefully designed to meet the needs of young adults and comprises two connected homes (Willow and Hazel), each of which are home to four young adults.
The accommodation is designed to allow the students to experience a greater degree of independence. Outside formal full-time education, we provide students with the skills they need for their transition to adulthood, such as budgeting, healthy lifestyles, keeping safe and work.
All eight bedrooms are en suite. There is a separate lounge and dining room, as well as a modern domestic-style kitchen. The accommodation is light, airy and comfortably fitted out. There is also a laundry and shared study area with internet access.
Residential activities
We run many leisure activities on site, including a cinema club, sports clubs, trampoline club, youth club and gaming club, and regularly hold special events such as discos. Students benefit hugely from our large grounds.
They also enjoy being so close to open countryside and the sea and we make the most of the outdoor activities the area is known for: for example, we often walk along the Tarka Trail or visit the local beach, and students who relish a challenge take part in the annual Ten Tors weekend hike on Dartmoor.
We have a fleet of people carriers and minibuses, enabling us to explore the area and to pursue a variety of activities. We encourage our students to take part in off-site activities such as swimming, riding, rambling, local youth clubs, cinema and shopping trips, weekend holiday breaks, visits to activity centres, and fishing. We are within walking distance of a large supermarket which we make good use of to practise a range of essential skills.