Our Arc Oakbridge School offers a calm, low arousal and nurturing environment where young people with a primary need of high functioning autism (ASC), including Asperger’s Syndrome and associated complex needs can learn and grow. There is a strong focus on maximising every individuals’ potential to develop into a confident, secure, well-adjusted and skilled young person who will make a positive contribution to society and live as independent a life as possible.

Sarah** is 10 years old and attends Arc Oakbridge School following a breakdown in her mainstream placement. She has a diagnosis of autistic spectrum condition, with PDA traits and as such was completely incompatible with the environment and resources offered in her previous school. She became completely withdrawn and felt invisible and consequently her mental health began to suffer greatly.

Additional multi-agency support was put in place for her including a CAMHS clinical psychologist, social worker, independent Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Psychiatrist and Independent SEN Education Advocacy.

Sarah is a funny and intelligent young lady however during this time she became unable to even leave her bedroom due to suffering from high levels of anxiety.

Her family made the decision to look for an alternative school placement and went to look around Arc Oakbridge School. After the initial look around they felt real hope that actually it could be precisely the nourishing and caring environment that Sarah needed.

Sarah’s mum is delighted with the placement and how she is progressing now. She says “Arc Oakbridge School is an extremely low arousal environment with well trained staff, the children are supported around their individual needs. If children feel safe and happy they will learn.”

“The environment provides safe access to education, the ethos around education is flexible around the interests and needs of the child. Children are taught the way they actually learn. Learning is creative, fun and individual led. It’s a collaborative environment that also focuses on social interaction as part of education.”

She goes on to say “This school has saved our daughter. She is coming back to life and it is evident at how comfortable she is and how well she’s settled into the school. It’s like she’s always been part of the Arc Oakbridge School family”  

What a wonderful outcome for Sarah and her family, all thanks to the hard work and dedication from the whole team at the school.