We believe we are a leading school because once at Abingdon House School, a school for pupils aged 4-11 with a specific learning difficulty; the change in the pupil’s self-esteem is marked and almost immediate. As they achieve, (often for the first time), a belief in their own abilities develops and fuels further successes. After two or three years at Abingdon House School most pupils are ready to return to mainstream education.
At Abingdon House, a school for pupils aged 4-11 with a specific learning difficulty, we aim to foster the strengths of the children and encourage the personal qualities of self-belief and confidence that are so important in the learning process.
Having worked since 1987 in the field of specific learning difficulty as a teacher and as a Head, I have experienced the effects this type of difficulty has on the individual child, their education and self-esteem and the way this impacts on the family as a whole. Unable to read and write as their peers and an inability to organise work and belongings ensures that the curriculum is inaccessible without additional input. Most schools are too large and impersonal for pupils who need a more nurturing environment to succeed and develop. A whole school teaching regime of small classes with teaching assistants, therapists and trained staff using a range of teaching strategies and practical activities to draw out the pupil’s potential is required.
The damage to a pupil’s self confidence is devastating and most children have little desire to go to, or to enjoy school; they have a sense of failure. Many of the children that are assessed have low self-esteem and have received little or inappropriate support for their difficulties in the past.
Our environment is based on understanding a child’s individual needs, nurturing a child’s academic and social development and caring for a child’s wellbeing. The environment is therefore warm and friendly and we are committed to every child. The teaching style is multisensory and the school day is organised around a regular routine. We understand the importance of discipline and boundaries. The school fosters a sense of pride and belonging that encourages the child to progress and achieve at school.
As Head of Abingdon House School, I very much look forward to meeting you and working with you to ensure the success of your child. We see this venture as a real partnership between school and parents, and therefore welcome a close relationship throughout your child’s time here.
