A Warm Welcome to The Orchard
At Highfield Community Primary School, we believe every child deserves to feel happy, safe, understood and included.
The Orchard is our Specialist Inclusion Base, offering a nurturing and supportive learning environment for children aged 5–11 who are autistic and/or have speech, language and communication needs.
Our provision supports children with an Education, Health and Care Plan, with placements arranged through the Local Authority.
We know that every child is wonderfully individual. Each brings their own personality, strengths, interests and ways of experiencing the world. Our caring and experienced team takes time to understand what matters to each child, what helps them feel secure and how we can best support their learning and development.
As part of the wider Highfield school community, children at The Orchard enjoy opportunities to learn, play, develop friendships and take part in school life alongside their peers. These experiences are carefully planned around individual needs, preferences and readiness.
Our ambition is simple: for every child to feel that they belong, enjoy learning and develop the confidence and skills to flourish.
Learning at The Orchard
A Curriculum That Celebrates Individuality
At The Orchard, learning begins with the child.
We offer a broad, creative and ambitious curriculum that is thoughtfully adapted to reflect children's strengths, interests, developmental stages and individual needs.
We recognise that progress looks different for every learner. Our teaching builds on what children already know and can do, while helping them develop new skills, explore their interests and experience success.
Learning is guided by the National Curriculum, each child's EHCP outcomes and personalised next steps.
Our approach combines practical experiences, engaging topics, structured teaching and opportunities for children to explore and make choices.
We place particular importance on developing:
- Communication: Helping children express their thoughts, feelings, preferences and needs in ways that work for them.
- Independence: Building confidence in making choices, solving problems and developing everyday life skills.
- Relationships: Supporting positive connections, friendships and a sense of belonging.
- Emotional wellbeing: Helping children understand their feelings and access the support they need.
- Learning and curiosity: Encouraging exploration, creativity and enjoyment through meaningful experiences.
We recognise and celebrate progress in all its forms, whether that is discovering a new interest, developing a communication skill, becoming more independent or achieving a personal learning goal.
Our approach is shaped by each child's developmental stage, communication profile and interests, creating opportunities to develop important early skills in ways that are enjoyable
Every achievement matters at The Orchard.
We use ongoing observation, professional knowledge and individual assessment to understand each child's development and plan meaningful next steps.
Our assessment approach includes PIVATS 5 alongside progress towards individual EHCP outcomes.
A Calm and Supportive Learning Environment
We understand how important the right environment is in helping children feel comfortable, secure and ready to learn.
Our classrooms provide a welcoming, predictable and thoughtfully organised space, with routines and resources adapted to individual needs.
Smaller class groups and high levels of adult support allow our team to build positive relationships, respond sensitively to children and provide personalised learning experiences.
We use a range of approaches to help children understand their surroundings, communicate and participate confidently. These may include visual timetables, photographs, symbols, objects of reference and individual communication supports.
Above all, we want children to feel that The Orchard is a place where they are accepted, respected and free to be themselves.
Communication
Communication is at the heart of everything we do.
We recognise that children express themselves in many different ways. Some use spoken language, while others communicate through gestures, facial expressions, body language, symbols, pictures or communication aids.
Every form of communication is valued.
Our team works closely with a specialist Speech and Language Therapist to develop approaches that reflect each child's communication strengths and needs.
Support may include personalised communication programmes, visual resources, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), where appropriate, and individual opportunities to develop interaction and language skills.
Communication is supported naturally throughout the school day, during lessons, play, mealtimes, routines and social experiences.
We also recognise the importance of giving children time to process information, make choices and communicate in their preferred way.
Our aim is to help every child feel listened to, understood and able to express what matters to them.
Understanding Sensory Needs and Supporting Wellbeing
Every child experiences the world differently.
For some children, sounds, lighting, movement, textures or busy environments can feel overwhelming. Others may enjoy or seek particular sensory experiences.
At The Orchard, we take time to understand each child's individual sensory preferences and respond with care and flexibility.
Our provision includes two dedicated sensory rooms, offering opportunities for appropriate sensory experiences, relaxation and support with emotional and sensory regulation.
Depending on individual needs, children may also benefit from movement breaks, quieter spaces, adjustments to classroom activities or personalised sensory strategies.
Our staff work alongside the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator, Senior Learning Mentor and other professionals to identify supportive approaches.
We understand that emotional regulation develops through trusting relationships, sensitive adult support and opportunities for children to recognise and communicate their needs.
Our priority is always to help children feel safe, comfortable and understood.
Belonging to the Highfield School Community
The Orchard is a valued part of Highfield Community Primary School.
We believe that inclusion means more than simply being in the same space. It means having genuine opportunities to participate, build relationships, make choices and feel part of a community.
Children in The Orchard are supported to enjoy shared experiences with their peers across the school, with opportunities carefully adapted to reflect their individual needs.
This may include learning activities, playtimes, celebrations, school events and other aspects of everyday school life.
We recognise that inclusion looks different for each child. By listening to children and working together as a team, we aim to make these experiences positive, accessible and meaningful.
Across Highfield, we celebrate difference, encourage kindness and help children develop respect and understanding for one another.
Every child deserves to feel that they belong.
Working Together with Families and Professionals
We know that the strongest support comes from working together.
Parents and carers bring invaluable knowledge about their child's strengths, interests, experiences and needs. We value this understanding and believe that open, positive relationships between home and school are essential.
Our team also works collaboratively with professionals and services involved in children's education, health and wellbeing.
These may include Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, school nursing services, paediatricians, emotional wellbeing professionals, Local Authority SEND teams and family support services.
By sharing knowledge and working towards agreed goals, we aim to provide consistent, coordinated support that makes a positive difference to each child's daily life.
Keeping Families Involved
We want families to feel welcomed, informed and involved throughout their child's time at The Orchard.
We use ClassDojo to share updates, photographs, achievements and special moments from the school day, helping parents and carers stay connected with their child's experiences.
There are also regular opportunities to talk about learning, wellbeing and progress through everyday communication, parents' evenings and annual EHCP reviews.
These conversations allow us to celebrate successes, listen to family views, share aspirations and plan the next steps together.
Children's own views, wishes and feelings are equally important. We support them to contribute to decisions about their learning and support in ways that are accessible and meaningful to them.
Joining The Orchard
Starting a new school or moving to a different learning environment is a significant step for children and their families.
We understand that this can bring a mixture of excitement, questions and uncertainty. Our team is here to make the experience as welcoming and reassuring as possible.
Before a child joins The Orchard, our SENDCo or Headteacher will visit their current setting and, where possible, attend relevant review or transition meetings.
Once a place has been confirmed, families are invited to visit, meet the staff and explore the learning environment.
We take time to learn about each child's interests, communication preferences, sensory needs, routines and the people and experiences that help them feel secure.
Where appropriate, we plan personalised transition arrangements, allowing children to become familiar with their new surroundings and relationships at a pace that works for them.
Our aim is to help every child settle happily, build trust and begin their journey at Highfield with confidence.
Growing, Learning and Belonging Together
At The Orchard, we are proud of the children we support and the unique qualities each one brings to our school.
We have high aspirations for every learner and believe that with understanding, encouragement and the right opportunities, children can make meaningful progress and enjoy their achievements.
We want our children to develop confidence, independence, friendships and a lifelong curiosity about the world around them.
Most importantly, we want them to feel happy, accepted and proud of who they are.
