The School’s approach – known as the Novalis Model – is based on many years of experience and draws on practice and research by contemporary leading practitioners and academics in trauma theory, attachment focused therapies and sensory integration. In summary, the model emphasises the importance of a trauma informed, relationship based, attachment focused and evidence supported approach which promotes the creation of a low arousal therapeutic school and children’s home. Where children are able to form safe and secure attachments through the establishment of positive relationships with staff members and their friends. Above all else, the School’s guiding principle is that everything that it does, and every decision that is taken, should be driven by what is in the best long-term interests of each child.

Cotswold Chine School strives to create a holistic curriculum that contains clear pathways, incorporating therapeutic practices, that promote self-progression. The curriculum is based on our understanding of the impact on early adverse experiences and neurodiversity (such as autism or ADHD) on children’s cognition and learning through the Neuro-Sequential Model of Therapeutics. We seek to use early assessment to establish the essential experiences a child will need as part of their day-to-day education in order to access learning.

Our curriculum aims to ‘build capacity’ to learn and overcome barriers to learning informed from a neurodevelopmental, attachment informed approach. Every student at Cotswold Chine School is placed onto a curriculum pathway, informed by EHCP outcomes, Therapy objectives, Historical information and NMT data.

Unlike many mainstream schools, we don’t adopt a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Instead, we provide a developmentally sensitive educational programme which is personalised to reflect each pupil’s interests, strengths and individual barriers to learning. A curriculum and appropriate learning targets are devised which are tailored to each child’s needs and abilities.

A high teacher / student ratio of two qualified teachers per class of 6-8 pupils means that we’re able to offer each child individual attention and support. Most of our students will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) setting out the additional support that they require to meet their needs.