School
Cruckton Hall School is an independent residential school for 90 boys aged 8-19 years. Occasionally a younger pupil may be admitted subject to the local authority and DCSF special dispensation. The school was established in 1981 and is approved by the DCSF. Cruckton Hall provides a residential education service to over 30 referring education authorities. Boys attend Cruckton Hall having experienced various difficulties at school, home and in the wider social community. Each referral is carefully assessed looking at the boys' individual needs and how they will impact upon the larger Cruckton Hall group.
All of the boys at Cruckton Hall School have a diagnosis within the Autistic Spectrum and quite often co-morbid disorders to complicate their needs. Allied to this comes a range of related learning and sensory and communication difficulties. These needs are met by an individually structured learning environment.
Education
Cruckton Hall believes that with a supportive and structured approach that places high expectations on boys to achieve their own potential is the best way to succeed. Every boy enjoys a full school day with access to the National Curriculum and end of Key Stage testing, aiding future reintegration in the mainstream. Time is set aside for homework and all boys have the opportunity to take at least 4 GCSE examinations.
Class Groups
There are 21 fully qualified and 3 unqualified, experienced teachers, all with subject specialism's and wide extra curricular interests and qualifications. Each teacher has a responsibility for a class group and maintains each boy’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). These plans are reviewed at least twice per annum and are developed in conjunction with the residential care workers. The youngest boys have most subjects taught by their class teacher, who is primary school trained, but all boys are taught by subject specialists and individual timetables are arranged. The teaching programme is supported by 19 teaching assistants.
A special room has been established for practical environmental project work in Environmental Science and Geography. The room along with other designated areas such as the garden/woodland area will also be used for a quiet area for pupils with personal issues or difficulties in coping. This facility will offer a sanctuary where they can continue their studies and recover their equilibrium.
Drama forms an important part of the curriculum at Cruckton. It is timetabled in the studio as part of the English and PSHE syllabi with academic, social and therapeutic programmes. Social Speech and Language programmes are also being developed in this area.
Class groups are organised mainly by age, usually six pupils or less. Each boy is helped to learn at his own level and speed, with both class and individual teaching. The use of I.C.T. is promoted across the curriculum as are Literacy and Numeracy as whole school initiatives.
Learning
Cruckton Hall provides a wide range of education, residential care and specialist services, individually tailored to meet the needs of boys aged 8-19. We offer a flexible approach, to enable each pupil to achieve their potential at their own pace. Excellent academic outcomes have been achieved over many years, especially with those at the higher-functioning end of the Autistic Spectrum. The school has been particularly successful with pupils who present with additional difficulties in areas such as vulnerability, social integration, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour.
Curriculum and Qualifications
Pupils follow the National Curriculum in Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) and are prepared for up to 6 GCSE subjects. English Language, Mathematics, Science and Computer Literacy are taken by all pupils. In addition, they can choose from a wide range of subjects, including a foreign language. Students at local college are supported to achieve vocational qualifications and A Levels, if appropriate, and can successfully engage in “Entry into Employment” courses. The success rate in external examinations is excellent at all levels.
In addition, each boy’s Record of Achievement charts their progress in all areas of life, and includes a Curriculum Vitae. All boys have a consultation with the local Connexions Careers Officer and the School also arranges work experience placements in a wide range of job options from baking to building.
In Year 11 the boys have a differentiated programme to meet and develop their social skills within the community at a practical and vocational level. This will reflect individual interest and may include the following areas: Animal Husbandry, Estate management, Mechanics, Equine, Environmental Studies and Horticulture.
We also run a programme of Entry level, Life Skills and AQA modules.
Life Skills
As boys progress through the school, greater emphasis is placed on the skills needed for independent living as adults. The variety of residential accommodation enables each boy’s needs to be met, even as they develop over time. The Harlescott campus enables the oldest boys to enjoy a successful transition to employment, further education and independence.
Therapeutic Support
The school offers consultant sessions from an Educational Psychologist, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Speech and Language Therapist. A Registered Nurse is available to all pupils. Comprehensive health plans are part of the holistic approach at Cruckton Hall.
Life at Cruckton Hall
Anti-Bullying Procedure
The school has a zero tolerance policy on bullying which follows national guidelines and local initiatives. An anti-bullying policy has been developed by the School Council over the past two years following two weeks of training for both staff and pupils.
24 hour Curriculum
For those pupils who are resident at Cruckton we provide a 24 hour educational programme. All boys at the school have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Placement and Care Plan, Health Plan and from Year 9 a Transition Plan. The respective parts of the jigsaw are discussed amongst the professionals at the school, the boy and his parents/carers. A multi-disciplinary approach is adopted at Cruckton and each boy is assessed by our own Educational Psychologist within three months of admission. Further reassessments are undertaken to assess progress and to identify any areas where teaching needs to be focused. Cruckton has a visiting Consultant Child Psychiatrist who visits the boys on a regular basis as required. We also have sessions from two visiting speech and language therapists who work closely with the teaching and care staff at Cruckton.
The structure which provides success for the boys in the classroom environment is replicated in the residential area and the boys have a range of recreational activities provided which reflect their needs and encourage their specialisms.
Many boys choose an active leisure programme which can be provided by a wide range of activities such as skateboarding, swimming, football and cricket. For the more studious, a range of activities from Warhammer to chess club are provided.
A weekly trip to a local youth club resource in Shrewsbury is a highlight for some of the boys.
Activities such as board and card games and model building can be used as good examples of practicing numeracy skills, improving fine motor control and increasing hand/eye coordination, while an active sporting programme rapidly develops confidence and gross motor skills.
Sport, activities and leisure time
Exceptional facilities on site are supplemented by involvement in local clubs and societies, use of community facilities, a range of trips and outward bound activities, catering for all tastes and abilities. Sport facilities include a Sports Hall and Gym, a Sports Field with athletics track and a playground with basketball net. Football, cycling, badminton, basketball, athletics and cross country are all popular, as is Ju-Jitsu. Boys can participate in a range of exciting activities out of school hours, including fishing, skateboarding, judo and Army Cadets. Every year, a variety of trips are organised, including canoeing and canal trips, with the climax the of the year being the Summer Camp.
Environment
Buildings, facilities and grounds are designed and maintained to provide the best possible setting to meet the various needs of the boys. This demonstrates the value Cruckton places on the individual. Cruckton Hall enjoys a stunning rural environment, yet is within a few minutes by road of the comprehensive amenities of Shrewsbury and is easily accessible to national road and rail networks.
Term times
2009/2010
| AUTUMN TERM | Monday 7th September – Friday 18th December 2009 |
| SPRING TERM | Monday 11th January – Friday 26th March 2010 |
| SUMMER TERM | Monday 19th April – Friday 23rd July 2010 |
Teaching staff/Care staff training and development days:
| Full days: | |
| 09:00 – 15:00 | Friday 28th August 2009 |
| 09:00 – 15:00 | Friday 8th January 2010 |
| 09:00 – 15:00 | Friday 16th April 2010 |
| Half days: | |
| Monday 7th September 2009 | |
| Monday 2nd November 2009 | |
| Monday 11th January 2010 | |
| Monday 22nd February 2010 | |
| Monday 19th April 2010 | |
| Monday 7th June 2010 | |
| Half term | Friday 16th Ocotber – Monday 2nd November 2009 (2 weeks) |
| Christmas Bazaar | Saturday 28th November 2009 |
| Christmas Holidays | Friday 18th December – Monday 11th January 2010 (3 weeks) |
| Half term | Friday 12th February – Monday 22nd February 2010 (1 week) |
| Easter Holidays | Friday 26th March – Monday 19th April 2010 (3 weeks) |
| Whitsun Holidays | Friday 28th May – Monday 7th June 2010 (1 week) |
| Summer Fete | Saturday 26th June 2010 |
| Summer Holidays | Friday 23rd July – Monday 6th September 2010 (6 weeks) |