The Garden School

The school offers highly specialised provision for learners with autism aged 4–18.

“The Garden is in the London Borough of Hackney offering education for 4-18 year-olds with highly specialised provisions for learners with autism.”

Specialist support includes speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and evidence-based interventions for communication and emotional regulation.

“We utilise a range of high-quality resources and specialist interventions to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. These include Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and evidence-based approaches such as Attention Autism, Colourful Semantics, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), the SCERTS® Model, and Zones of Regulation to support pupils' communication and emotional regulation.”

The school states that student and staff welfare is paramount and that staff receive regular child-protection safeguarding training.

“The welfare of our students and staff is of paramount importance to us.”

The school reports partnerships with parents and outside agencies, including social care.

“We have good partnerships with parents and relevant outside agencies, including social care.”

The enrichment programme includes dance, drama, music and physical exercise delivered by specialist tutors in dedicated studios.

“At The Garden, our enrichment programme features Dance, Drama, Music and Physical Exercise, with pupils traveling to dedicated studios across the school to participate in sessions led by specialised enrichment tutors.”

Cultural development includes trips, visiting arts and music specialists, enrichment lessons, and music lessons.

“- Themes in the Curriculum - PSHE & RE Curriculum - Visits and Trips - Arts, Music and Cultural Specialists visits to school (e.g. drumming, dance) - Celebrating National Events (e.g. Black History Month) - Different menus for celebration and events - Enrichment lessons - Music lessons”

The school emphasizes each child's uniqueness, individual needs, communication, learning, independence, safety, and inclusion.

“We place each child’s individual needs and goals at the centre of our work. It is this ethos that underpins our bespoke child-centred curriculum specially developed to create optimal opportunities to nurture communication, learning, and independence, in a safe and inclusive environment.”

The school sets high expectations and promotes excellence and continuous growth for every pupil.

“We set high expectations to inspire and challenge every pupil, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous growth.”

The school provides specialist education through age 18, and its Pavilion site caters for Key Stage 5 pupils.

“The Pavilion site caters for Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils.”

The school considers pupils’ futures across all phases, including the sixth form.

“Across the school, from the early years through to the sixth form, pupils’ futures are carefully considered.”

Admission is through the statutory assessment process and requires the school to be named in the child's EHC plan.

“Admission to the school is through the statutory assessment process whereby The Garden school is named on a [child’s education, health and care (EHC) plan](https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help) (previously Statement of Special Educational Needs).”