Redefining education
We redefine education by seamlessly integrating three essential pillars: education, therapy and futures. We don't just educate; we nurture support and propel our pupils towards a future where their potential knows no bounds. Join us on a transformative journey, where education extends beyond textbooks, therapy and nurtures resilience, and futures are shaped with purpose and promise.
Love of learning
We foster an excitement and a love of learning in our pupils by following the national curriculum. Our curriculum and tasks set are challenging yet achievable, enabling children and young people to grow in confidence and prepare for life beyond the classroom. We also provide enrichment activities through educational visits and field trips to support and enhance learning experiences.
With a backdrop of our small class sizes, with no more than eight pupils per class, each child and young person receives a bespoke curriculum tailored to their needs, which is fully integrated with our social development programme.
Our commitment to a well-rounded education includes a focus on social development. Through activities that promote collaboration, friendship, social interaction, and teamwork, pupils build essential interpersonal skills. These experiences help them develop communication, empathy, and the ability to work well with others. By developing friendships and a sense of community, children and young people learn to value diverse perspectives and support one another, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that strengthens their social growth.
The results speak for themselves as young people leave us with nationally recognised outcomes at a level that is right for them, ranging from entry-level certificates to functional skills, BTECs and GCSEs. This equips them to confidently take their next steps into further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Our outstanding offer
For some young people with special educational needs a residential boarding placement can offer the right balance of education, support and stability that will then allow them to make rapid academic progress and develop socially.
The young person will attend the school as a day pupil, benefiting from the expertise and support we offer whilst the residential offer provides a warm and welcoming environment that allows for the development of positive relationships with peers and adults. The dedicated staff team create a family atmosphere where shared experiences provide opportunities for personal development and a sense of belonging.
Our young people live in our boarding houses and return to their home setting on a weekly, fortnightly or termly basis.
Our strong ethos and co-ordinated approach sees school and boarding staff work closely with parents and carers to enable each child or young person to develop into confident, independent and ambitious young adults.
The approach has a strong focus on enriching each young person’s social and communication skills which enables them to make friends, engage in new activities and experiences, and move forward with an ambition to discover and learn. The school and boarding staff teams both support and positively challenge each young person to widen their scope of life experiences and encourage them to experiment and undertake fresh challenge, which ultimately results in them improving their knowledge, skills and ability. Every pupil is guided by experienced and empathetic professionals who will be able to plan and adapt to ensure pupils achieve and succeed.
We aim to provide pupils with opportunities so that they can reach milestones in education and make progress with their emotional wellbeing and social development. The teaching, support and clinical staff team at Cedar House are an integral part of reaching this aim, as the expertise and drive of our professionals ensure pupils access a range of programmes so that they can flourish and enjoy learning in our inspiring environment.
We have officially partnered with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which was set up by one of the world’s greatest sporting icons. The aim of the organisation is to support and develop sports activities for children and young people all over the world.
The school’s state of the art Cruyff Court, is an all-weather pitch which supports small group sports, including football, basketball, volleyball and netball, and an additional grassed field area. The aim of the space is where pupils can grow, make friends and improve their mental health.
Our school is uniquely situated by the River Wenning, providing direct access to nature and an exceptional setting for learning. We have our own wooded area, which is used for Outdoor Education and Forest School activities. We also use the rural location to provide further opportunities for outdoor pursuits, environmental studies and conservation work. Hands-on learning comes in the form cultivating produce in our polytunnel, preparing pupils with skills and knowledge for future success. We are near the Lake District, Morecambe Bay, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the Forest of Bowland, all renowned for their natural beauty and scientific significance. These areas inspire a deep appreciation for learning and the environment. Working together to tackle tasks, pupils develop a range of skills that are easily transferable into many aspects of their lives, including the classroom and their home environment. Participating in new and exciting activities enables children and young people to take calculated risks that empower them, resulting in increased confidence and intrigue for their next challenge. Working as part of a team also helps pupils to develop and sustain relationships with peers and teachers, so that they can work effectively and master new skills to complete tasks.
Our Lower School provides an inspiring and nurturing environment for younger children. We prioritise building positive relationships, with the team working closely to understand each child before guiding them through their learning journey. From Year 3 to Year 6/7, we use a consistent primary model where class teachers and teaching assistants create vibrant, supportive classrooms that encourage pupils to feel comfortable and ready to learn. We emphasise smooth transitions, ensuring that children gain confidence and resilience as they overcome challenges and embrace new opportunities. Regular communication with parents and carers ensures everyone feels valued and informed, reinforcing the strong foundation of trust and collaboration that supports each child’s success. The Lower School also incorporates thoughtful features such as providing equipment and support, communication development programmes, and a focus on building independence and resilience. Children benefit from inspiring classrooms, advanced ICT resources and access to secondary facilities, such as a science lab, music studio, sports hall, and horticulture area, all of which enhance their learning experiences.
Our vocational programme is a key element of the Cedar House experience, providing Key Stage 4 pupils with practical skills and confidence to succeed in life beyond school. With courses taught by industry-experienced professionals, young people gain real-world insights that inspire enthusiasm and independence. We offer a diverse range of vocational subjects, including Hair and Beauty, Child Development, Health and social Care, Construction, Horticulture, Land-based Studies and Food Technology. Young people regularly achieve recognised qualifications, such as AQA Unit Awards, NCFE, Functional Skills, GCSEs, and equivalents such as City & Guilds and BTEC. Key Stage 3 pupils can explore their interests through taster sessions and our ‘Options Carousel’, which allows them to make informed decisions before committing to specific courses in Year 10.
Therapy
Our on-site Clinical Team provide pupils with unrivalled levels of therapeutic support, in terms of the level of expertise, the ratio of qualified therapists and clinicians to children and young people, and the range of therapies offered. Pupils have the support of our Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other specialists as required.
We believe that unless a child or young person is able to feel emotionally safe and secure, they are less likely to fulfil their personal, social and educational potential. Our unique approach to supporting young people through our Wave Model enables them to go on to realise a future filled with aspiration and achievement.
Cedar House School's Clinical Team complete thorough and skilled assessments that support a shared understanding of the complex needs we see in our children and young people. This enables us to put purposeful and appropriate interventions in place and assess our effectiveness through the tracking of outcomes and impact.
Futures
At Cedar House School we are dedicated to raising the aspirations of our pupils, while also equipping them with the skills and confidence to realise outstanding outcomes.
The Futures programme inspires and connects pupils with their next steps beyond education, utilising a growing network of over 350 employer partnerships, including the likes of Microsoft, Mercedes and John Lewis, to provide outstanding experiences of the workplace and ongoing opportunities and support.
Our Futures sessions provide practical guidance on job applications, confidence-building, networking, and workplace expectations, giving children and young people the tools to navigate their career paths with clarity. Complementing this, our Futures curriculum enriches academic growth while developing personal development and career readiness, ensuring they are prepared for their chosen paths. With no upper age limit on support, the programme boasts a 100% success rate in transitioning students into education, employment, or training.