As well as making use of our fields, woods and beautiful school surrounds, the gardening department has half an acre of class allotments and beds, a herb garden, soft fruit bushes, nut and fruit trees dotted around the school, and a wildlife area with a pond and wildflower meadow. Facilities include a classroom and store, a greenhouse, cold-frames and a large polytunnel.

 

The children begin their studies with nature observation and meadow walks, collecting seeds and berries. Each class soon has its own vegetable and flower plot, and later progresses to greenhouse work, cereal growing, plant propagation, tree planting and then more advanced horticultural activities. One year may be entirely devoted to the wildlife or herb garden.

 

The movement programme in the school offers a wide range of physical activities and experiences. Based on the Steiner Waldorf curriculum, it allows the children to develop the physical and social skills needed for the development of a well-rounded student.

The lower school children play games, progressing from those with simple rules and skills to those that are more complex.

 

Within the safe environment and care for individual needs, the children develop confidence and enjoyment in interaction with other students. This leads on to the introduction of sports – indoor, outdoor and off site. At present the school offers tennis, basketball, volleyball, softball, hockey, rock climbing, abseiling, archery, swimming and sailing.

 

 

Riding Curriculum
The riding curriculum throughout the school promotes:-

 

Confidence - Initially when children are helped onto a horse they are a little apprehensive due to their distance from the ground and feeling the horse move. After a few lessons the learner gains trust in the horse and the instructor. They will begin to touch and stroke the horse, give verbal commands and take control.

 

Strength – Children with special needs often have low muscle tone. Just by sitting on a moving horse muscle tone can be improved. Using arms, legs and hands during riding and stable management sessions strengthens muscle groups.

 

Balance – this is improved by carrying out exercises on a still or moving horse. By twisting, reaching and stretching balance is enhanced in normal everyday tasks.

 

Co-ordination - By learning to guide a horse and perform simple tasks using eyes, voice and body, the children gain advances in co-ordination. To master the rising trot is an enormous achievement.

 

Pleasure – Children love horses. Great pleasure is gained from touching, stroking, grooming and watching these gentle animals. Riding sessions are thoroughly enjoyed along with the challenge of trying to do better each lesson.

 

Each learner is individually assessed before attending for riding.
The barn area is structured so as to provide a safe routine environment in which learners can feel secure.
Once the learner feels secure around the horses, teaching of Riding, Horse Care and Yard Duties commences.
Learners ride in small peer groups (maximum of 4).

 

Riding and the Further Education Course In the Further Education Course learners are offered the opportunity to study and widen their equine skills by partaking in the OCN Philpots Vocational Curriculum, where they can gain credits from several individual equine units at Entry Level, allowing for progression to a “Basic Yard Duties“ unit at Level One which can be completed over one or two years, depending on ability and/or hours timetabled.

 

Learners can be awarded individual credit accreditation or bank credits to achieve an Award, a Certificate or a Diploma.