About Allerthorpe School

Our School

We are an Independent Special Educational Needs Secondary school located near Pocklington along the A1079 in the East Riding of Yorkshire We work with multiple local authorities across Yorkshire including North Yorkshire, York City Council and Hull Council.

The school is laid out over 3 floors and has been designed to provide nurturing and engaging spaces for learners.

The ground floor has a state-of-the-art sensory room catering for many different sensory needs and therapies including light, music and vibration. This room also provides a quiet space for learners to regulate. There is a brand new learner’s kitchen with all the modern and adapted equipment they need to learn essential life skills. We have a fully refurbished hall and two classrooms with easy access to the playgrounds and MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), which is ideal for learners who need lots of movement breaks.

On the first floor, we have a further 6 classrooms catering for between 6 and 8 learners. There is a state-of-the-art ‘My Space’ room with calming and multi-sensory equipment for learners to use to regulate throughout the school day. The first floor also boasts an amazing and fully stocked multi-use room that caters for Art, DT and Science lessons.

The second floor has our final multi-use room which also holds our well-stocked library. This room has large Velux windows that provide lots of natural light, whilst the shape of the ceiling, ensures the acoustics are just right to make the perfect music space.

Every room in the school is fitted with air-conditioning that regulates the temperature within the classrooms in summer and acts as a heater in winter, allowing learners the comfort of a year-round stable temperature.

Our learners join at different points of the academic year arriving to us from broken educational backgrounds, extended periods out of education and various trauma following bad educational or life experiences. This results in low self-esteem, lack of trust in adults and gaps in their education.  We cater for learners between the ages of 11-16 and specialise in ASD, ADHD, MLD, SEMH, and learners who struggle with the hustle and bustle of a mainstream secondary school, and who need a little more nurture.

We meet the emotional, social, and academic needs of our learners through a bespoke adaptive curriculum. This is underpinned by our core values of ‘building BRIGHT futures’ for all our learners no matter their starting points. We believe in an emotionally informed and restorative approach to support learners’ every need. This includes trips, visits and extra-curricular offerings such as , Lego club, football, Art therapy and Bikeability to name just a few.

Our Offer

We are proud of the extensive services we provide to our learners and families, which include the following.

Our school’s ethos and aims are to uphold our Purpose, Mission, Vision and Values which are:

Our Purpose

To ensure every learner, regardless of their individual challenges, is empowered to achieve their fullest potential.

Our Mission

To care for each learner’s unique needs through a tailored and therapeutic approach facilitated by offering a flexible curriculum that incorporates academic, social, and emotional development opportunities which encourage our learners to thrive.

Our Vision

To inspire confidence, independence, and lifelong learning in a safe, supportive, calm and structured environment.

Our Values - BRIGHT Futures

Belonging: We will foster a sense of belonging where every learner feels valued and accepted.

Respect: We will maintain a culture of respect, ensuring all members of our school community treat each other with kindness and dignity.

Inclusivity: We will celebrate diversity and provide an inclusive environment where all learners’ needs are met.

Growth: We will ensure the continuous growth and development of our learners, staff, and school community.

Holistic Support: We will provide comprehensive support that addresses the academic, emotional, and social needs of our learners.

Trust: We will build trust through transparent communication and robust safeguarding practices to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners.

Principal of Allerthorpe School: A Passionate Advocate for Inclusive Education

With over two decades of dedicated service in the Yorkshire education sector, our Principal brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-achieving environment for all learners.

Sarah began her career as a secondary school science teacher, she quickly discovered a profound passion for Special Education Needs (SEN), leading to a fulfilling transition into this vital area. Sarah’s dedication to understanding and addressing the unique needs of each learner is underpinned by her extensive knowledge and qualifications, including a Master’s in Education, postgraduate certificates in Autism, and the prestigious National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).

Throughout Sarah’s career, she has been driven by a deep-seated empathy and compassion, believing strongly in the potential of every learner. Her approach is characterised by a relentless focus on safeguarding, inclusivity, and creating a curriculum that not only meets educational standards but also nurtures life skills and personal development.

Joining the esteemed Melrose Ltd team, Sarah feels privileged to contribute to the opening of Allerthorpe School, the tenth school in its expanding network. Sarah’s vision is clear: to ensure that all learners, particularly those with autism and other social or special needs, receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Under Sarah’s leadership, Allerthorpe School aims to be a beacon of achievement and success, where learners are encouraged to reach their full potential. Sarah’s commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and enriching educational environment ensures that each learner is not only prepared for academic success but also equipped with the skills and confidence to contribute positively to society.

Our Principal’s unwavering dedication to nurturing a happy, bright future for all learners makes her an inspiring leader and a valued member of the Melrose Ltd family. She is driven by the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed and is committed to making that a reality at Allerthorpe School.

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