Autism accreditation 2025

We are very pleased to have received an Excellence Award following our most recent Autism Accreditation. Woodcroft was first accredited by the National Autistic Society in 2009 – and positive provision for autism is firmly embedded across the whole school.

The National Autistic Society aims to set the standard for best autism practice. Their kite mark is intended to reassure families and professionals of the high standard of support they should expect to receive from providers.

Our 2025 accreditation report, which is available on request from our head teacher, includes the following summary by the awarding committee:

‘The Autism Accreditation Committee found clear evidence in the report that staff at Woodcroft School possess a robust working knowledge of evidence-informed approaches associated with good autism practice. They create a calm and supportive environment using Total Communication strategies, enabling pupils to express themselves through a range of communication tools.

‘Pupils engage in meaningful and purposeful activities that promote independence, resilience, and essential life skills. Tailored support helps them understand expectations, fostering a positive and structured learning experience. Sensory learning activities are carefully designed, and pupils have access to self-regulation tools and environments that support their development. Effective strategies help those who experience difficulties with regulation to re-engage successfully.

‘Integrated therapeutic interventions address complex challenges, reinforcing the school’s commitment to delivering high-quality, individualised care that promotes well-being and personal growth. Feedback from parents and carers is overwhelmingly positive, and submitted case studies provide valuable insight into the quality-of-life improvements achieved through personalised programmes and targeted support.

‘While some areas for development have been identified, these relate to a single observation that was not representative of the good practice observed elsewhere or to the review of documentation.

‘Congratulations on demonstrating excellence in supporting autistic children and young people.’

School cook required

Autumn is upon us, and as the colours in the school garden turn, so do our thoughts about food: to warming soups, stews and jacket potatoes.

We are looking to recruit a cook to provide meals for pupils, to develop our kitchens and allotment, and in the longer term provide food for our team.

Not many schools have a cast iron range cooker, but at Woodcroft our staff room is warmed by a working Aga and often the smell of baking reminds us that good food is central to our feeling of wellbeing. The staff room is sited in the former kitchen of Woodcroft house and it is an expression of the family ethos that underpins all of our work.

This year in particular we are promoting healthy eating, and our new appointment of an in-house cook will be at the heart of improving food culture across the school.

We aim to provide a balance of fresh, local, fair-trade and organic food for pupils and staff. Doing all this within a budget and to strict hygiene standards is not an easy task, but for an organised cook with relevant experience and a positive approach to healthy eating we think it will prove a very rewarding challenge.

Please click here for more information.