Who We Are
Demeter House is a small family run SEND school offering placements to up to 100 students across key stages 1 to 5. We opened in September 2006 and offer a high level of care and education for vulnerable children with emotional, behavioural and associated learning difficulties, particularly students with autistic spectrum disorders.
It is expected that our students will already have experienced difficulties in school, community and/or home and will require individualised care and education. We therefore offer a high staff to student ratio in a friendly and stable environment.
We focus on building self-esteem and positive relationships. Our success will be measured not just by improvements in academic ability but also in terms of social and emotional improvement. Students are encouraged to participate in setting their own challenging but realistic targets and to celebrate their achievements.
We encourage families and carers of our students to work in partnership with us to support their children’s progress and strengthen relationships.
Relationships between staff and pupils are exemplary. Mutual respect makes a significant difference to pupils’ all-round progress.
Ofsted, 2017
How We Got Our Name
Demeter is the mythical god of the Earth, the Earth Mother. The story goes that when her daughter Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, Demeter stopped caring and the world started to die. The other Gods had to intervene, a plan was discussed and a compromise was reached. Spring arrived and the Earth was reborn.
This story of compromise, discussion and new beginnings seemed relevant to our establishment and the goals we are aiming to achieve. We hope that every child in our care will feel supported through an individualised educational programme.
Our aim is to equip our students with the skills they need to experience success in all areas of their lives to ensure a brighter future.
Our School’s Vision
To create a community where everyone feels heard and valued, where differences and challenges are accepted and supported and where everyone has the opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.
Our School’s Beliefs
We believe in enabling young people to transition effectively into adulthood. We believe that all young people should have the opportunities to develop strategies that will equip them to manage their own challenges, lead fulfilling lives and have a good quality of life. We want our young people to leave us as respectful, aspirational and independent contributors to their wider communities. Our curriculum actively promotes our learners to become:
- Curious
- Independent
- Creative
- Innovative
- Confident
- Inclusive
Our School’s Aims
We aim to:
- Deliver a high quality, aspirational curriculum that enables and encourages all learners to fulfil their potential for academic achievement.
- Develop our young people holistically, taking account of their wider family contexts, enabling and encouraging them to make good choices that will lead them to a better quality of life.
- Teach our young people how to regulate their emotions, improve their own behaviour and develop a positive attitude towards themselves and others.
- Promote high expectations and aspirations for all our young people through regular, high quality CPD for all staff, that is linked to the curriculum, and ensuring that the whole school community is upholding the school’s values and aims.