Oliver House School
Welcome to Oliver House School please spend a few minutes to see for yourself the quality of our provision and capture some of the autistic friendly ‘child focused’ happy atmosphere that we bring to your child’s education. We hope it makes you want to see more and welcome you to visit our school in person.
Virtual Tours
Entrance Hall/Reception/Galleyway
A warm and welcoming entrance that is wide and spacious enables pupils and staff to pass easily. Soothing colours create low arousal and low stimulation decoration allows pupils to remain calm during transitions around school. Visual clarity from the SPELL framework and pictorial structure reduces anxiety and dependence on staff and draw from TEACCH principles.
Example Classroom 1
Lighting in classrooms can be varied to individual preferences and can be lower or brighter if desired. Low arousal with few over stimulating patterns and colours classrooms may have these features added gradually to help build improved pupil tolerances. Equipped for a variety of activities each class has comfy seating, relaxation areas, task areas to include work tables for one-to-one activities and working stations for independent work. All resources are stored out of sight in ante rooms when school work is completed. One way glass windows allows for privacy but free pupil vision to the outside. Class pupil sizes are small but sociability is increased through afternoon group activities.
Example Classroom 2
Any Speech and Language therapy programmes and Alternative Communication input is at hand in each classroom to ensure it is used throughout the school day. Clear visual timetables helps guide the pupil from one activity to another smoothly and around the school building.
Example Classroom 3
Classrooms are personalised to suit the pupils using them to ensure that they are comfortable with their environment. This means that equipment or resources used for individual sensory diets are at hand for pupils when they require them.
Family Room
We want families to feel that we are there for them as well as their child if we can help. We work in partnership with others by keeping an honest, transparent and open dialogue. In line with the Every Child Matters agenda we seek to work in partnership with families and other professionals involved with our pupils and we make our visitors feel welcome. Our family room is equipped with comfortable seating for you to sit and discuss your child's progress with the staff team. We offer refreshments while you can view evidence of your child's progress.
Bistro
We have our own independence training kitchen where pupils learn how to make simple snacks or meals. Greater independence is achieved in important aspects of life skills. Many pupils and community access visits are linked to work in here for example with shopping for specific items. Imagine your child making home made biscuits in this room for you and your family to share and recognise the achievements of independence. Pupils are encouraged to help make and serve refreshments for others including visitors.
Gym
Individual daily physical development programmes are planned for each pupil to ensure that they have healthy outcomes. Any sensory integration, rebound or sensory diet that requires work in the Gym, Spa pool or Multi-Sensory room are incorporated into each pupil's daily schedule and recorded and evaluated. Swimming takes place in a purpose built nearby specialist swimming pool.
Playground Area
We are situated on the edge of traditional parkland with Astley Park which comes complete with a swan lake and formal garden paths which we make full use of as a facility for our pupils. Backing on to the park is our playground area with climbing frame, seating and busy ball game facilities.
