Blossom ASD

The Blossom ASD Centre will be the very 1st ASD specific education centre within the Epping Forest area.  The aim is to achieve an alternative education to 50 severely autistic children to enable them to reach their full potential.The age range of pupils will be 4-24, meaning that each child could attend for up to 20 years. During the transition age of 19-24 we will ensure that no pupil will be forced to leave our service unless we are satisfied that we have given them the very best support to enable them to live independently any adult unable to leave Blossom Centre will have the option to remain as a resident once we establish a live in service.Pupils will taught on a 1:1 basis, with the emphasis on developing “living skills” rather than formal education, as some if not all the pupils will be unable to cope with a regular school curriculum.Each pupil will have their own key worker and will receive at least 2 hours per day with 1:1 interaction in the specially designed interaction rooms.Those able to participate in a formal education will receive lessons from fully qualified teachers within the Education Centre. It is expected that no pupil will be taught more than approximately 5% of the national curriculum. The school will be fully compliant with the requirements of OFSTED.The Blossom Centre believes that it is more important that pupils learn how to make a sandwich to be able to feed themselves rather than how to do calculus.Activities will include, hydrotherapy cookery, music therapy, art and drama along with more practical skills such as woodwork, pottery, vegetable/fruit growing, animal interactions etc. The school will have the appropriate facilities to provide such activities including horse riding.The school will operate for 39 weeks per year. During holiday time an additional 9 weeks a year of holiday scheme will be provided. School pupils will have priority but places will be made available to non-school children as well.Joni Flynn, the company’s founder, currently works with autistic children in the community and has now started a waiting list for families interested in securing a place at Blossom. Joni is currently receiving daily emails via www.blossom-asd.uk from parents seeking advice and requesting outreach services as well as a place once Blossom opens.  Joni anticipates that not only will families within EFDC request our school provision, but those within a 10 mile radius by law can now request any school place which meets the needs of their child statement of SEN. This would equate to 20 of the schools places being filled on opening.  The School will eventually look to increase its numbers in line with each child’s individual needs.  The Education Manager currently works within mainstream school in Hertfordshire and has 6 pupils all with ASD requiring specialist placements.  Blossom Centre has a very good relationship with local mainstream schools who are unable to refer children to ASD specific schools due to lack of places not funding. The Blossom ASD Centre will also be looking to create a community place for those with disabilities along with families wishing to utilise the extensive activities on offer, including a farm, farm shop (selling cakes, fruit and vegetables produced or grown by the school’s pupils) and a cafe.  We will be offering Messy Patch and Crafty Patch @ Blossom centre (hosted by Sandy June Phillips) Along with events such as ASD friendly Fun-day, festivals, children shows, circus, winter wonderland, open air theatre and ASD friendly cinema screenings.annual school fundraiser for the community to enjoy the beautiful Countryside surrounding the School Building.  We will be offering family respite care at weekends along with in-door and out-door play facilities. Once we are established we will be looking to add in events and party options where you can hire various sections of the school grounds to host the most magical children parties and events.