Foxes Academy

If we had to capture the essence of Aurora Foxes, it would be employability and independence for adulthood. We strive daily to be the very best and we will continue to do so, to ensure that graduates from Aurora Foxes are: work ready, life ready.

Mark Costello - Principal

"I think people should come to Foxes to work on their independence skills. I have been learning about shopping and budgeting. I can now travel to Taunton on the bus, which is 24 miles away to get to my work experience. My work experience is amazing, I serve customers and do the drinks. I hope to live in a supported living flat when I graduate, because I have all the skills I learnt at Foxes." — George

"I love Foxes because it is an amazing place to be. I love all of the sessions. I like 'Moving On' because you learn to cook and to do your personal shopping. There are so many activities to choose from. The activity I like to do the most is Mindfulness, because I like to do the yoga. I really like Ballroom Dancing, my favourite is the Waltz. I like Minehead Eye because I love the singing. You should come to Foxes because you'll like all the sessions and activities that we do!" — Rebecca

"I like working on going out independently. I like to go shopping independently and I have been on the bus to Dunster to go to the cafe with my friends. I am now travel training to get to my work experience, which is really good. You will learn to do things independently that will help you in the future." — Zac

Accommodation

Aurora Foxes has residential accommodation throughout the safe community of Minehead. Each student has a fully furnished room, as part of a comfortable, caring and happy home.

Each house has a highly experienced Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader and Learner Support Practitioners. There is a wide range of accommodation to meet individual needs. The accommodation ranges from 5 - 16 bedrooms. The students are carefully placed in their accommodation following a robust risk assessment process.

By their final year, students can be living in a small group in one of our independent flats where they have to do as much as possible for themselves; getting themselves up, washing, dressing, travelling to work experience independently, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Just like any young person in further education!

Foxes Hotel

Foxes Hotel is a delightful Victorian seaside hotel in Minehead on the Exmoor coast and is the UK’s only fully operational training hotel for young people with learning disabilities. From day one, our students have the opportunity to gain valuable practical work experience, learning all the skills needed to have a successful working life in the hospitality sector.

To learn more about our hotel, please click here.

The Flying Fox

Aurora Foxes has been in a partnership with Hilton for 8 years. The Hilton Global Foundation donated a grant to Aurora Foxes, which facilitated the purchase of The Flying Fox catering truck.

This has expanded our vocational training space, and has provided our students with the opportunity to transfer their work skills within this unique environment.

Our Community

An important and unique quality of Foxes, which is often remarked upon by visiting parents, is our location. Foxes is located right in the heart of the community. Students are therefore prepared every day for engaging in town life. This valuable experience helps to shape our students and prepare them for life after Foxes, as well as helping to reinforce independent living skills. As the second-biggest employer in Minehead, Foxes forms a signification proportion of the population of the town and is held in high regard by the community for the valuable part we play in shaping the culture of our town and community. This is especially helpful for students who may initially struggle with being out in unfamiliar spaces, as students become more familiar with being able to seek out a safe and friendly face. Over the course of their time with us, students become more confident in accessing the many facilities and events that are on offer and these experiences will form a solid foundation for life beyond their time with us.