‘Where mud will wash off, but where memories will last a lifetime’
Dear Parents, Guardians, Commissioners and Prospective Students,
I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to Orchard Therapeutic Farm (OTF). As the Director of this unique Alternative Provision, I am proud to introduce you to who we are and what we stand for.
Orchard Therapeutic Farm, known as OTF, is a specialised primary and secondary and post 16 alternative provision dedicated to serving children between the ages of 6 and 18. Our approach is farm-based, providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment
tailored for pupils who face various challenges related to social, emotional, and mental health, including associated behaviours that may be challenging.
Many of the students who come to OTF have additional special educational needs, such as neurotypical functioning, Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorders (ADHD), Anxiety, and Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Our commitment is to offer them the guidance, support, and resources they need to thrive academically and personally.
At OTF, we are an approved alternative provider for several local authorities, including Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Slough, and Wokingham. Pupils referred to OTF
have individualised Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) that guide our tailored approach to their education.
We take pride in being a small, nurturing therapeutic provision where our primary focus is on building trusting relationships with young people. By doing so, we empower them to achieve steady personal success and tangible outcomes. Our core values of compassion, resilience, and inclusivity guide our every action, creating an environment where each student can flourish.
I invite you to explore this prospectus further, where you will discover the comprehensive educational programs, pastoral care, and exceptional learning experiences that define OTF. We are dedicated to providing a quality learning offer that recognises and celebrates the unique potential within every student.
Thank you for considering Orchard Therapeutic Farm.
Warm regards,
Ludivine
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, we offer an innovative and nurturing alternative provision for children and young adults aged 6 to 18, as well as specialised vocational training at our Post-16 Skills Centre.
Our farm is not just a place of learning; it’s a haven for personal growth and development, catering to individuals with a wide range of needs, including ASD, ADHD, anxiety, EBSA, dyspraxia, cognitive delays, and sensory overloads. Our primary, secondary and post-16 programmes are meticulously designed to support students facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges, including those exhibiting behaviours that are deemed challenging as a result on their Sen.
A significant emphasis is placed on addressing mental health issues, trauma and anxieties, particularly those that manifest in ways that might be misunderstood in conventional educational environments.
Nestled on a peaceful orchard and lowdemand environment, our farm stimulates natural curiosity, self-regulation and positive communal experiences, thereby nurturing strong connections with both peers and animals. Our purpose-built facilities, including the Art and Pottery Room, a fully equipped kitchen, woodwork and technology studio, dog grooming studio, an animal ménage and personalised learning spaces, are designed to create a visually inviting
and serene atmosphere for learning new skills and gaining formal qualifications.
Spanning across expansive lands, we offer a diverse array of engaging and tailormade programmes, focusing on eradicating past adversities and aiming for individual goals. Our curriculum is adapted to each student’s EHCP outcomes, integrating therapeutic interventions, vocational objectives, motivational endeavours and high-quality teaching methods.
Moreover, our Post-16 Skills Centre is dedicated to providing vocational training in practical trades such as dog grooming and woodwork. This initiative is aimed at not just engaging students in farm activities but also preparing them for the workforce through vocational training in a simulated work and safe environment.
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, our mission is aligned to our core values to foster an inclusive and supportive community where every individual is given the chance to thrive, explore, engage and feel empowered. We recognise that our farm provides experience in learning in a distinctive
and encouraging environment. We are committed to empowering our students, helping them rediscover their strengths and potential in an atmosphere that feels like a sanctuary of nurture and care.
Our unique farm-based setting provides a tranquil and therapeutic backdrop that promotes emotional well-being and empathy. With a team of seasoned SEN educational professionals, we implement interventions and trauma-informed practices aimed at fostering engagement, relationship building and overcoming previous obstacles.
The centre safeguarding team consists of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and two Pastoral Leads.
As a centre we understand that we are responsible for the care of vulnerable young people and consistently work to ensure we exceed our statutory obligations with regards to safeguarding our students. Our Pastoral Leads and team of Form Tutors maintain regular contact with home and ensure that our students broader needs are met beyond the classroom.
Explore:
On our farm, exploration takes centre stage. With expansive landscapes and thoughtfully planned activities, we ignite curiosity and self-discovery. From observing wildlife to hands-on farming, fishing, cookery, art and beyond, each moment becomes a chance for growth. Exploration here cultivates creativity, resilience, problemsolving, teamwork, and adaptability— essential skills for lifelong learning. While we explore, we act in a safe way; we are aware of ourselves and others and the impact of the decisions we make.
Engage:
We prioritise engagement in learning through practical activities and immersive programmes. Active engagement not only nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity but also instils adaptability and effective communication. These skills go beyond the farm, preparing children for success in the wider world. At our farm, being engaged in learning is not just a phase; it’s a transformative journey that equips children with the skills they need to thrive back into their schools or as they transition into new specialist provisions.
Empowerment:
At OTF we help children to feel empowered; to have the self-belief to try, explore, take risks and the confidence to achieve anything they set their minds to. At our therapeutic farm, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every child feels empowered to succeed. We believe in providing choices and autonomy, allowing each child to contribute to the farm in a way that builds their sense of self-worth. Our farm is a place where children can develop leadership skills and take on responsibilities; we prioritise a safe and supportive space, encouraging self-reflection and goalsetting for continuous personal growth.
We are creating a nurturing environment where every child can express themselves and feel empowered on their journey.
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, our journey has been one of natural growth, driven by our unwavering commitment to meeting the unique needs of children with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties. Over the years, we have evolved and expanded to become a beacon of support and empowerment for our students and their families.
Our growth story is one that speaks to our ability to adapt and respond to the evolving demands of local special educational needs (SEN) requirements. We began as a primary provision and have since grown to include secondary education. We are now further expanding our offerings with a post-16 programme, including a skills centre. Here, young people can immerse themselves in a work-simulated environment, gaining valuable vocational skills - a testament to our commitment to their holistic development and career aspirations.
At the heart of our growth is a dedicated team in maintenance and construction. This expertise has allowed us to transform our site, adding birdwatch lookouts, woodworking rooms, grooming parlours, therapeutic spaces, and learning hubs. These additions provide safe and empowering spaces for young people to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
Our staff members are not just qualified facilitators and qualified teachers; they are highly skilled professionals with strong backgrounds in special educational needs and specialism. We take great pride in the feedback we receive from both schools and parents, as they witness genuine transformations in the children we work with. Our passion lies in building strong connections with our young people, understanding their individual needs, and compassionately guiding them through their challenges.
Unparalleled Communication and Individualised Programmes:
Communication is at the heart of our approach. We provide extensive weekly feedback to our students, ensuring that they feel supported and understood. Our programmes are highly individualised, allowing each child the opportunity to thrive and form meaningful friendships and relationships. Our motto is a testament to the deeply impactful experiences we offer within our centre.
‘Where
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, aligning with our intent to ensure positive outcomes for children, our priority is to equip both primary and secondary students with practical vocational skills and qualifications.
We plan and structure our activities in a manner that allows students to set individualised goals and objectives, ensuring a tailored approach to their learning journey. As students engage in these activities, they not only acquire valuable skills but also compile tangible evidence of their achievements. To provide clarity and direction, we’ve developed structured qualification framework for primary, secondary and post 16 provision.
These frameworks outline specific milestones and objectives, ensuring a focused and constructive experience during their time with us.
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, therapeutic care is deeply ingrained in our ethos, transcending traditional methods to offer a holistic nurturing experience. Nestled amidst nature’s tranquillity, our farm naturally cultivates therapeutic moments, enabling children to benefit profoundly from our dedicated care and serene environment.
Many children come to us for varied reasons, with their Special Educational Needs influencing (in many cases) breakdowns in their full-time educational placements. We fully recognise the challenges this presents for the children, their families, and schools, emphasising our commitment to tailored support.
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, we take the mental health needs of our students extremely seriously. Our commitment to their well-being is unwavering, and we view our responsibility to support them as paramount. To ensure the highest level of care, we have a team of trained Mental Health first aiders available on-site at all times, ready to respond to any immediate needs. Additionally, we are proud to have a dedicated counsellor who works closely with our students, providing essential emotional support. We understand that nurturing both their academic and emotional growth is essential for their overall development, and we are fully committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where every child can thrive.
Central to our philosophy is a therapeutic culture steeped in therapeutic approaches, where every interaction, activity, and intervention is infused with sensitivity, understanding, and intentionality. Our Animal-Assisted Therapy programme, for instance, fosters meaningful interactions that nurture empathy, responsibility, and trust, serving as transformative experiences that significantly shape emotional growth and well-being.
Complementing our dedicated team’s expertise, Orchard Therapeutic Farm boasts a staff team, trauma-informed trained. This ensures that our approach is consistent, compassionate and effective, resonating with the unique needs of each child.
We are very proud of our facilities and the passion and care we have put into developing such a clean, contemporary and unique site. The site boasts beautiful kitchen, dog and farm animal grooming studio, equine ménage, woodwork studios and sensory room and much more. There is plenty of space for our young people to ‘spread out’ and complete activities in small groups and one to ones.
We have areas for children to use as a safe space and areas where therapeutic interventions take place.
At Orchard Therapeutic Farm, our admissions process is designed to ensure the best possible alignment between our programme and the needs of the children we serve. Typically, all referrals to our farm come through a local authority, school referral, or EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) team.
Upon receiving a referral, our dedicated team will reach out to parents and guardians to arrange a visit to our centre. During this visit, we aim to create an open and welcoming environment where families can explore our facilities and get a sense of our unique approach.
If, following the visit, we all agree that a place at Orchard Therapeutic Farm is suitable for the child, we proceed to establish a service level agreement with the referrer. This agreement outlines the details of the placement and the support we will provide.
To ensure that every child’s transition to our farm is as smooth as possible, we offer taster days and conduct additional assessments as needed. A brief induction programme is also implemented to help children understand how to stay safe on the farm and begin building lasting relationships and memories.
We recognise that each child is unique, and our admissions process reflects our commitment to tailoring our support to their individual needs.
Our goal is to
provide a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment where every child can thrive and embark on a journey of personal growth and achievement.
Working With Parents, Guardians and commissioners ‘We work in partnership’
Our Orchard Therapeutic Farm commitment to you:
We know that your number one priority is your child. We take our responsibility for them seriously – so when your child joins us at the farm, we will also welcome you, their parents and carers, as part of our family and journey.
At OTF, we believe that it is essential to develop strong partnerships with home and school if our children are to achieve their full potential. Parents, guardians and commissioners and schools working as partners can only increase pupil achievement and help to develop positive attitudes about self and school.
Join the M40 heading North: Begin your journey on the M40 motorway, heading north towards Oxford.
Exit the M40 at Junction 6 or 7: Look for signs for Oxford and take the appropriate exit to head towards the A40 or directly onto the A329, depending on which junction provides the most direct route to your destination.
Follow the A40 or A329 towards Oxford: Once you’ve exited the M40, continue on the A40 or A329. These routes will lead you towards the Oxford area, providing a scenic and straightforward drive.
Navigate towards the A4158 (Iffley Road): As you approach Oxford, follow signs for the A4158, which will direct you towards the eastern part of the city.
Continue on the A4158 until you reach the B480: The B480 is a key road that will take you towards the village areas surrounding OX44 7RW. Follow signs for Wheatley or Chalgrove, which are located near the postcode.
Proceed on the B480: Stay on the B480, passing through picturesque countryside and quaint villages. This route will lead you directly into the heart of the area associated with the postcode OX44 7RW.
As you enter the vicinity of the postcode, look for local signage directing you to Orchard Therapeutic Farm. The farm will be clearly marked, providing a welcoming entrance to visitors.
Welcome to Orchard Therapeutic Farm. We look forward to your visit and the opportunity to share the therapeutic wonders of our farm.
Orchard Therapeutic Farm School
Orchard Therapeutic Farm
• Warpsgrove Lane
• Chalgrove
01865 890047 info@hitchcoxgroup.co.uk
www.orchardtf.co.uk
• OX447RW