Independent & Non-Maintained Special Schools

Independent schools are run by bodies other than the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).  Independent Schools do not have to conform to the DfES’s standards and requirements and can be run for profit.

Non-maintained schools are run by bodies other than the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and approved by the DfES to a set of standards and requirements. They are run by voluntary bodies with charitable, religious, social and/or education aims. Non-maintained schools are not legally allowed to be run for profit.

The local education authority may agree to place and fund a child at an independent or non-maintained special school following a statutory assessment of their special educational needs.  However, if there is a suitable maintained school the local education authority would not have to agree with the parents’ choice of an independent or non-maintained school.

 

Hope Lodge School

Hope Lodge School is an independent school run by Hampshire Autistic Society and takes children aged 4-16 who have Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, as day or boarding pupils up to 52 weeks. Post 16 and supported living services are also available.

›	22 Midanbury Lane, Bitterne Park, Southampton SO18 4HP
	023 8063 4346
	hopelodge@has.org.uk	:	www.has.org.uk

 

Rosewood School

Rosewood School, Southampton, is a non-maintained special school for up to 40 children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Run by the Rose Road Association, a local charity, the school offers a specialised curriculum focusing on the individual needs of each pupil, developing key skills in Communication, Cognitive Development, Environmental Control Technology, Physical skills, and Personal, Social and Health Education. The National Curriculum is used to provide a breadth of experience and learning opportunities in which to teach the key skills. The school has an attached therapy suite enabling staff to meet the therapeutic and medical needs of the pupils.  The therapy team consist of physiotherapists, an occupational therapist, a full time nurse and two healthcare support workers, a hydrotherapy support worker, a speech and language therapist and a music therapist.

›	Bradbury Centre, 300 Aldermoor Road, Southampton SO16 5NA
	023 8072 1223
	jennyboyd@roseroad.org	:	www.roseroad.org

The Sheiling School

Founded in 1951, The Sheiling School is an independent Camphill Rudolf Steiner School offering an adapted Waldorf Curriculum together with individual therapies.  The school caters for up to 50 children and students aged 8-19 years who have moderate to severe learning difficulties, including SLD/MLD Downs’ Syndrome, Autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome and others.  It is mainly residential (38 weeks) with weekly and day places available.  The aim of the school is to fill the gap where local and national special school facilities are not appropriate.  The school provides a total environment in which children can be helped to reach their full potential.  The children and students live in extended family households with houseparents and co-workers (carers).  Currently, places are purchased by 26 funding authorities throughout England and Wales.

The Camphill Movement works to create communities in which vulnerable children and adults - many with learning disabilities - can live, learn and work with others in healthy, social relationships based on mutual care and respect.  Camphill is inspired by Christian ideals as articulated by Rudolf Steiner.  The Camphill Movement is based on the acceptance of the spriritual uniqueness of each human being, regardless of disability or religious background.

›	Horton Road, Ashley, Ringwood BH24 2EB
	01425 477488
	enquiries@sheilingschool.co.uk	:	www.sheilingschool.co.uk