Spiritual, social, moral and cultural education

TreeHouse School has excellent links with the local community. We actively seek to involve our children in the community through visits and activities. Regular outings are organised for the pupils to provide opportunities to generalise learning and to experience new situations outside the school environment.
In addition, TreeHouse has a close relationship with several local mainstream schools. We encourage a two-way flow of both staff and pupils to and from these schools for activities that match their needs – often music classes, PE or playtime. A number of our pupils attend these mainstream schools sometimes for up to five mornings a week supported by TreeHouse staff for certain lessons. ‘Reverse inclusion’ brings mainstream pupils into TreeHouse where as part of their citizenship curriculum, they learn to communicate using Makaton, for example.

One of our pupils is very social and attending mainstream school for part of his day helps him practise his social skills and mix with peers who are developing normally. He attends the show and tell session – we prepare this with him so he has practised the skills he needs to do this. A member of staff goes along with him and works with the school staff at the school so they can include him in homework tasks.

TreeHouse supports the children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and confidence; and to understand and manage their behaviour appropriately. Strong relationships with families are central to achieving this. Staff help children to understand right from wrong and to respect other people. Many children with autism display a variety of challenging behaviours. Positive behaviour management is integrated into all the children’s programmes. Individual interventions are based on detailed assessments of these challenging behaviours, in order to reduce them. All such interventions are agreed with the parents and carers before they are implemented.

Ofsted inspectors praised TreeHouse for our extremely thorough risk assessments, child protection arrangements, first aid procedures and behaviour plans. All of these led to the conclusion that TreeHouse pupils, who are very vulnerable due to their special educational needs and disabilities, are ‘exceptionally well protected from harm.’

Pupils are taught to appreciate and show respect for their own and other cultures in order to promote tolerance and harmony. TreeHouse is a non-denominational, multi-faith school and we recognise the value and contribution of all faiths. Religious education forms part of our curriculum. There are regular assemblies and a range of festivals are celebrated across the school. Alternative arrangements can be made on an individual basis for children whose parents request withdrawal from assemblies or other aspects of the curriculum for religious or cultural reasons.

TreeHouse pupils ‘learn to get along harmoniously with others from different cultures and faiths.’ Ofsted 2007 report