Therapy Support

Our education work alongside a specialist team of therapists so that every pupil gets the support they need to help them thrive.  Just like our approach to personalised learning, therapeutic support at Abbey School is shaped to fit each young person and is therefore, highly individualised.

 

Speech and Language therapy

At Abbey School we promote a total communication approach which values all forms of communication. Our Speech and Language therapists support pupils to maximise their speech, language, and communication abilities in order to access the curriculum, increase independence in day-to-day activities and to engage with others in the social world around them. Communication underpins many aspects of learning and the ability to communicate with others, both verbally and non-verbally is an important part of each young person’s development. Each young person has an assigned Speech and Language Therapist who works with the class and care team to assess each pupil’s speech, language and communication skills. They work with their trans-disciplinary colleagues to design individualised communication programmes for pupils and may work individually or in small groups with pupils on a sessional basis dependent on individual needs.

 

Occupational therapy

At Abbey School our Occupational Therapists work with pupils to help them develop functional skills for everyday life in the areas of self-care, life skills, curriculum access and play/leisure. In addition, the occupational therapy team support the development of pupil’s sensory, motor and perceptual processing skills which are essential for young people in making sense of the world in which they live and to develop emotional regulation skills. Occupational therapy is fully embedded within each pupil’s learning and support journey at Abbey School with our therapists working closely alongside class and care staff to assess, develop, monitor and evaluate personalised support programmes. Therapists may also work with pupils individually or in small groups on a sessional basis dependent on induvial needs.

 

Positive Behaviour Support

Our approach is both positive and proactive, never punitive. Behaviours that challenge usually occur for a reason and our skilled and experienced Behaviour Analysis team use a range of assessment tools to understand the functions of a young person’s behaviour and to design, implement, monitor and evaluate personalised and holistic positive behaviour support plans. In addition, Behaviour Analysts are experts in understanding how people learn. They work closely with class staff and trans-disciplinary colleagues to break down the curriculum and implement effective teaching and learning approaches for each pupil. For further information, please see section on Positive Behaviour Support.

To find out more or for placement enquiries, please contact

Abbey School Principal, Dr Katy Lee

Testimonials

Local Authority

“I just wanted to take a minute to pass on some feedback on today’s EHCP meeting for [pupil]. I think it was the best EHCP review I have ever attended for a child! It was so lovely to see [pupil] both in the meeting and in all the photos and videos you had prepared. It was incredibly child-centred and kept us all focussed on the positive progress [pupil] is making at Abbey School. I came out of the meeting smiling and I’m sure parents did too.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“I can’t believe the change in our daughter in just a few short weeks. The relief for our family is immense to be certain that she is finally in a place that truly understands her.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“This is the 7th school that our son has attended and each placement has broken down. He is absolutely thriving at Abbey School and has made more progress this term than he has in the past six years.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“Our son is so much happier and content since starting at Abbey School. Recently we have been able to take him and his sister out for the afternoon together. Using the strategies you have given us, he was able to wait and follow simple instructions. We can finally enjoy some time together as a family.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“We are just amazed at how our daughter has changed in a few short weeks from being a very sad, angry little girl, to the calm, happy and chatty girl we see today – we can’t thank you enough!”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“5 star reviews all round. Thank you ever so much for supporting our child!”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“Thank you for making us the happiest and luckiest people to access your gorgeous, amazing school. We are very privileged and still in disbelief about how much this school is going to make a difference to our lives. We are truly blessed!”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“I can’t get over how much you all do for our child. Nowhere has taken all of their needs into consideration like this before and you’re all trying things to support them that nobody else has ever bothered with and you can just see how much their confidence has improved.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“Our son finally has a class team around him that truly understand him.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“We are absolutely delighted and proud of how our son has settled into his new environment.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“Abbey school is not just a school – it’s a family who support the child and the family together.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“I just say how pleased we are with everything. Your staff are amazing, our son loves them and as you know he never wants to leave. The setting is fantastic, I feel totally privileged that my son is part of your school.”

Parent of Abbey School Pupil

“Your autism experience is immense, our son is happy and safe staying at the Green and is becoming more independent. Thanks for all your hard work caring for him, as a mum this is a huge relief to know he’s got a great team around him at the Green!”