Barton School

For young people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition and complex needs. A DCSF registered school and Ofsted registered children’s home offering 52-week and 38-week (term time) individually-designed programmes for young people aged 8-19. Day education placements and short break residential services available.

Located on the edge of the town of Barton upon Humber, North Lincolnshire, Barton School is a purpose-built facility incorporating a range of innovative concepts and approaches to enable young people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition to make sense of the world around them, as part of a programme designed to encourage them to achieve their full potential. We follow an autism-specific, holistic approach across both the school and home. Young people are given opportunities to develop the skills they need to live as independently as possible. Emphasis is given to structure, clear strategies and personal targets. Young people access a creative and flexible curriculum and the use of visual strategies to support communication is strongly emphasised. This is linked to a range of activities that promote each person’s life skills and social development.

Barton School has a registered capacity of 34, aged between 8-19, including up to 8 day places. Class size can range from individual tuition to groups of up to 5, with a high staff-pupil ratio. The School looks for innovative ways to teach the National Curriculum and to support the home in reinforcing Life Skills Development. The curriculum is broad and balanced and includes a wide range of creative, physical and multi-sensory activities. Each young person’s unique programme takes into account their particular strengths, emerging talents and individual learning style. Particular priority is given to communication and interpersonal skills and regular physical activity is also included.

The environment of the children’s home is designed to meet the needs of young people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition and we work closely with the school to ensure consistency. This integrated approach helps the individual to develop skills for life through a wide range of activities. Young people are encouraged to use all of the site’s facilities and we often take trips out to local amenities where they learn life skills such as shopping and visiting restaurants.

There is also time for plenty of fun activities. Our proximity to the countryside and coast allows young people to enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits and trips to the seaside. We welcome visits from parents and Placement Officers to experience the warm and caring atmosphere. Visitors are often amazed at the detailed thought in the design of the home which allows young people with Autism make sense of the world in an enjoyable place to live.