About Us
Situated in a beautiful rural location within 4 miles of the large town of Shrewsbury, Cruckton Hall School has, since 1981, become a leading resource in the UK for boys with Aspergers Syndrome, ADD and ADHD.
Cruckton Hall School provides a long established, successful and important option for boys with a range of difficulties within the Autistic Spectrum of Disorders. The school specialises in integrating young people with Asperger’s syndrome and their associated vulnerability and/or challenging behaviour.
Cruckton Hall has continued to respond to a variety of needs presented and now boasts residential provision registered as a children's home for those who require 52 week placements. Moreover, we can continue to provide support through school, Further Education and into adult life.
Ethos
Cruckton Hall provides a safe, caring, structured residential and learning environment in which each boy:
- feels valued and secure
- is treated as an individual
- develops appropriate skills, and
- grows in confidence
so that he can take his place fully in society.
Cruckton Hall treats each child as an individual, with a programme based on an assessment of his unique needs, abilities and ambitions and on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Children with ASD need structure in their lives and find difficulty in social relationships. The Cruckton Hall approach provides a carefully structured environment and social relationships are built naturally as an integral part of daily life in a positive, caring community.
We are aiming towards:
- A safe environment for each pupil
- Realistic but high expectations for each individual
- A supportive structure to each day and each activity
- Quality teaching and care
- Genuine respect for each pupil
- Challenge difficult behaviour
- Celebration of success
History
Cruckton Hall already existed on this site in the 17th century. In 1672, Thomas Harries (†1694) was living in Cruckton's "big house", as he was paying 16 shillings Hearth Tax for eight hearths. In 1684 the house consisted of hall, parlour, kitchen and servants' wing and was two storeys high with lofts over.
In the 1770's, Thomas' descendant, The Reverend Edward Harries, had the Hall "almost new built", enlarged and in red brick, Georgian style seen today. He added the stable block and its clock tower and a dovecote in front of the house. He used some of the earlier house's internal structure as the ground floor. Ceilings in the present Hall's west wing include early 17th century beams. There were various additions until about 1900 when a billiard room was added. After the estate was split up and sold in 1929, the Hall continued to be a private house, owned and occupied until 1947 by Mrs Marion Cock, JP, (Shrewsbury's first woman Mayor). From that year until the 1970's it was run as a children's nursery by Shropshire County Council. The Hall has been a residential special school for boys since 1979.
Cruckton Hall School was founded in 1981 by Mr. Ken Butler, his son Mr. Peter Butler and the Headmaster Mr. Ian Barrett.
Cruckton Hall is part of Kisimul Group Limited.
Admissions
Each potential pupil is assessed before admission by the Senior Team at Cruckton Hall School. Emergency admissions are not possible, although an accelerated admission process may be negotiated, if required. The vulnerability of many of the pupils is a key issue which is recognised at the outset. Appropriate levels of well-qualified, skilled and highly-motivated staff are provided to ensure good parenting. Partnership with families and placing authorities is a key component in our service.
Residential Accommodation
52-week and term time only residential options are provided for both on and off campus. A third of the accommodation is provided within the 18th century, grade II listed manor house that forms the centre of the main Cruckton campus. This provides the security of quality accommodation, combined with a structured educational programme covering the 24 hour period. The remainder of the site offers a variety of accommodation in six further residential units. There are two properties in the neighbouring town of Shrewsbury. The range of accommodation on offer enables each young person to live in the environment that best meets their needs and to progress to different styles of accommodation as they mature. There is a wide range of out of school activities on offer, with the highlight of the summer camp.
Cruckton Hall offers a wide range of educational options to its students. The majority present for public examination for GCSE and/or Entry level, some may continue to further their education in our off site accommodation in Shrewsbury whilst attending local college, whilst others may require a more vocational focus to their course of study.
The strength of Cruckton is in its consistent record of success, in both academic and social areas, the quality and experience of the staff team and the positive measurable outcomes of all the students.
National Autistic Society Accreditation
Cruckton Hall School received accreditation from the National Autistic Society in March 2007 and has continued to develop under NAS guidance.
The residential environment actively supports the learning taking place during the school day. Recreational activities can be created to assist meeting IEP targets and provide the boys with a recognisable 24 hour ‘value added’ learning experience.