Notton House School, Bristol

Notton House School is Bristol’s only residential school specialising in the care and education of boys aged 9-16 with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

Louise Gardiner, the school’s ASDAN co-ordinator, believes that introducing new courses has provided a way to recognise many of the activities that were already taking place at the school.

“Three years ago we introduced ASDAN courses to our students to offer a chance of an alternative accreditation. Before this, the curriculum was very traditional, with some vocational elements offered at local colleges. We felt that ASDAN courses would be both more stimulating and relevant to the boys’ needs and this had proved to be the case.

“ASDAN has provided us with a vehicle to accredit much of the learning and skills that were already happening in our residential setting. As a residential school many activities that take place during care time could be used to supplement the evidence that is traditionally gathered during the school day. My role has been to co-ordinate this and support both education and care teams in finding stimulating and meaningful activities that could be accredited.

“Boys have helped on a farm, walked the dogs for people living nearby and our samba band played for the residents of an elderly residential care home.

“The boys sleep at school Monday to Thursday nights with optional stays every other weekend. Older boys are encouraged to spend some nights in Bristol to ease their transition back to living at home post-16. After tea, between 6 and 6.30pm, the boys have ‘homework’ time. Traditionally this was set each evening by subject teachers and was an administrative nightmare.

“In the last three years this time has been used more creatively by the care team to accredit Life Skills, with great success. This year we have decided to use this time to deliver the PSD qualification.

“Last year was our most successful to date. There were 11 boys who achieved the Bronze Award, 20 achieved Life Skills and five Year 10 and four Year 11 learners were awarded CoPE Level 2.”

Notton House head teacher, Bobby Evans, added: “These ASDAN courses have allowed us to use the full opportunities afforded by our extended curriculum and residential provision, accrediting achievement across a wider range of real-life experiences.”