About Us
Oliver House School is part of Living Ambitions, an organisation whose origins span back for nearly 20 years providing services in the areas of children’s homes, community supported living services for children, young people and adults with learning difficulties, mental health issues, sensory impairment, physical disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions.
The School has been designed to support the individual learning needs and inclusion of children and young people between the ages of 6-19 with autism and/or complex learning support needs. Our recent highly successful Ofsted inspection concluded that we are, ‘A good school with some outstanding features’.
Each pupil has an individual personalised curriculum to exactly match their needs adapted from National Curriculum entitlements together with Every Child Matters agenda outcomes.
Our Mission Statement
We will offer people with complex needs; warmth, empowerment and fulfilment with real outcomes through individualised support and positive partnerships.
(LIVING AMBITIONS – Parent Company)
To provide an autistic friendly individualised curriculum to develop each pupil’s communication, social skills and flexibility of thought.
(OLIVER HOUSE SCHOOL)
Our Vision Statement
Through continued development and partnership working we aim to successfully manage a dynamic business in Enablement, Support and Education that gives value.
By working at the cutting edge of service provision and delivery, we work in partnership to design creative solutions that are unique to the individual’s happiness, health and fulfilment.
In consultation with significant others and through rigorous self audit we strive for service excellence.
Our Diversity Statement
Living Ambitions has a sound understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities for all and recognise and value difference in others. The organisation merits the importance of a diverse workforce and aims to respond positively to meet individuals’ needs. We believe that working with individuals from diverse backgrounds brings added value to an organisation and that their experiences of differing cultures and backgrounds enrich our working life.
Our Philosophy and Ethics
Our mission statement reflects the importance we place on the right of each child or young person to access an inclusive curriculum based on their individual needs. At our foundation is the SPELL framework (Structure, Positive expectations and approaches, Empathy, Low arousal and Links with others supporting the individual) to help reduce pupil anxiety. In practice the SPELL framework means that we have a high degree of structure and consistency with high levels of visual support that helps our pupils to predict their day. We have high expectations of positive outcomes for pupils and are committed to finding ways around challenges they may face. We have empathy for the needs of the young autistic learner and will go the extra mile to support their individual needs. All learning takes place within an environment of low arousal to reduce extraneous stimulation. We work in partnership with families and other professionals to establish good communication and forge links.
Although we are a specialist provision we believe our pupils should have lots of opportunities for fun, participation and inclusion. We are involved in local community activities such as charity fund raising events and actively participate in recycling, various village events, local school links, and library special days. We fully support inclusive learning and inclusion for our pupils as important ingredients to help generalise skills learnt in school and gently increase tolerances.
Individual pupil access to community events, greater social independence and world awareness is individually designed to help increase the pupil’s social profile and social tolerances in a person centred manner to move towards developing improved inclusion.
All pupils are respected and valued at Oliver House School and difference is recognised. We emphasise the positive and our philosophy is not based on an impairment or deficit model of understanding autism or autistic conditions.
Positive recognition of even small steps of personal progress for each pupil is celebrated. Pupils that may challenge those that are caring for them are not stigmatised or labelled but are gently encouraged to replace their behaviours with more socially acceptable ones. The SPELL framework emphasises that we seek opportunities for success and positive outcomes for all pupils and that everyone has the right to grow and learn.
We seek to be an exemplar in providing pupil centred solutions through a bespoke curriculum and partnership working with families and professionals supporting the pupil. Each pupil is given the opportunity to have demonstrable positive Every Child Matters outcomes.
Most of all we seek to be a happy school where learning is enjoyable and children want to come into school each day and engage in their learning.
Our Values, Aims and Beliefs
- We value all of children and young people and respect their individuality.
- We are committed to person centred planning at all stages to provide the best possible outcomes for all, regardless of their disability.
- We are a specialist service that values inclusion for all and seek out opportunities wherever possible.
- We value working in partnership with families, Local Authorities, Local Education Authorities, Social Services and other professionals working to support children and young people. We seek to maintain honest and transparent relationships.
- We aim to maximise each individual’s quality of life.
- To ensure that each individual is kept safe and free from harm with protection from abuse, exploitation, injustice and discrimination.
- We respect each person’s individuality and identity. We seek their views and opinions and act upon them in a responsive, empathetic and proactive manner.
- We freely provide access to information to ensure informed choices are achieved and interests are protected.
- To aim to provide a range of quality assured opportunities for pupils to experience.
- To give each individual opportunities to be part of their local community.
- We believe each individual has the right to good healthcare appropriate to their needs and that these needs are met.
- To offer an accurate and comprehensive assessment with a detailed risk assessment and risk support plan maintaining the protection of each person and the public.
- To ensure each individual is able to work in partnership with the providers and professionals involved by facilitating access to information, offering training and support for decision-making and at all times allowing them to have their say.
