"There is no doubt in our minds that Cedar House has been the making of our daughter." Parent

Cedar House School is a co-educational special school for children who exhibit emotional and behavioural and social difficulties.  The school is approved by the DCSF (No S1(D)909/6037) to cater for 88 children between the ages 7 to 16 years, on a day or residential basis.
The school is situated close to the centre of Kirkby Lonsdale, an old market town, within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. There are well-established links with the local community.

The school has excellent facilities to meet the needs of children; good use is also made of local resources. Residential accommodation is maintained to the highest standard and a range of designated leisure facilities are provided.

 "Thank you for always going the extra mile for our young people."  Children's Services

Admissions Procedure

We have a formal admissions procedure, usually initiated by the local authority. 
Informal visits are welcomed by all interested parties.  Please contact the school directly if you would like to arrange a visit.
The local authority will send the child’s statement documentation to the school and the school's admissions panel will identify if our provision meets the child’s needs.
If we are unable to meet a child’s needs we will support the local authority by recommending a provision which is more suitable.  Grounds for declining placements are always linked to the ability of the school to meet the pupil’s needs; if it is deemed that a pupil’s needs are outside our expertise then a place will not be offered at Cedar House.  This would be likely when considering, for example, pupils with major disabilities, a history of serious criminal activity, a history of serious self harm, a proven history of serious inappropriate sexual behaviour towards others or known addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol.
Children who the admissions panel feel meet the admissions criteria will be offered an interview at school.  The Local Authority, parents/guardians and the child will be invited to attend this interview.  The interview, held at the school, will include a tour of school and some informal assessments.  
If the pupil is accepted, a letter will then be sent to the Local Authority offering a place with a possible start date and fees.
If a pupil is offered a place at Cedar House School, the Local Authority will be informed and a start date arranged.  Pupils are welcome to join Cedar House at any stage during the school year.

Please contact the school for further information. Tel: 01524 271181 or Email: schooloffice@cedarhouseadmin.co.uk

Range of Needs

The range of difficulties catered for by the school includes the following diagnosed or described conditions:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Conduct Disorder
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Attachment Disorders
• Mild or controlled Epilepsy
• Dyspraxia
• Mild vision and hearing difficulties
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders with particular emphasis on High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
• Milder forms of self-harming behaviour
• Risk–taking behaviour
• Milder forms of attachment disorder
• Social Relationship difficulties
• Emotional difficulties linked to past or current experiences
• Mild and moderate learning difficulties
• Specific learning difficulties
• Underachievement due to diagnosed condition or previous difficulties accessing the curriculum
• Resolving depressive illness or anxiety disorders
• Aggressive or challenging behaviour where there is no psychotic origin

Children attending Cedar House frequently present with a range of the above difficulties. Children are considered suitable for admission when a commitment to change is anticipated, the child is felt able to integrate with the current population and take advantage of the educational opportunities offered and where the home environment is perceived to be able to encourage and support change.