News
IS BEING ‘INCLUDED’ REALLY BEING EXCLUDED?
Rohan came to Camphill School Aberdeen, an independent day and residential school, a few years ago. His family was close to breaking point. Rohan was ‘attending’ his local school but was more ‘excluded’ than ‘included’. He was socially isolated, having no friends at school or in his local community. In short the family was in crisis.
As a last resort and after much pressure from his family, the Social Work Department referred him to Camphill as a weekly boarder.
The transformation has been unbelievable, as his key worker explains:
“He came to us socially isolated, insecure, with no confidence and with very low self esteem. Now he is the centre of our house community. He has a circle of friends both in school and in the community to whom he relates. He has a girlfriend. He participates in a wide variety of activities and is thriving. His self confidence knows no bounds. Last term at our open stage night, he ‘played guitar’ and sung a duet with one of our coworkers.
"His programme is set up so he succeeds. It is a ‘strength-based’ programme, building on what he can do. His circle of friends includes all types - those with physical disabilities and those who are more capable than he. He has represented the school at a regional swimming gala and won medals. He has grown responsible not only for himself but for his surroundings as well. He has become a ‘citizen of the world’. To us he brings the gift of laughter, of joy, of spontaneity.
"Basically he has been given his life back, as has his family who now, relieved from the stress of a having a ‘problem’ child, can return to some kind of normality.
"They have moved from needing, for their own sanity, to ‘send him away’ with all the guilt feelings that accompany this, to being ready and proud to have him live at home again.”
What is the message in this story?
"Inclusion is an attitude not an activity," says Laurence Alfred, a coordinator at Camphill School Aberdeen. "Yes, technically Rohan was included, but the reality was so very different. Nobody wanted to play with him, no-one had time to teach him, no-one invited him home for their birthday party, and no-one attended his.
"The family were ‘included’ in their local community, but they were in crisis; not many want to visit a family in crisis or know how to behave in such a situation.
"Why does it take so long to understand this? Why do so many families have to suffer before help is offered? Why is residential schooling the last option?
"Residential schooling can offer true inclusion where everyone is valued and recognised as having something to offer. Let us promote inter-dependence rather than independence and loneliness. Let us share the care. Let us celebrate our differences.
"The person with Down’s has a very special contribution to make to the world just now when everything is becoming more mechanical, automated and inhuman. The person with Down’s greatest gift is their humanity, just the medicine our world needs today."
Recent News!!
Fundraising for Tools for Self Reliance
The pupils and co-workers of Camphill School raised £1029 at the Advent Craft Fair at the school, which was donated to Tools for Self Reliance. Donations enable Tools for Self Reliance to ship tools refurbished by their UK volunteers to Africa.
Education Scotland/Care Inspectorate Report underlines "sector-leading" standards at Camphill School Aberdeen
Camphill School Aberdeen has been recognised as achieving “outstanding, sector-leading” standards in a report by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
Reporting on Camphill School Aberdeen, the inspection team say: “The school’s ethos is outstanding and the levels of pastoral care of the children and their families are very high.”
The report evaluates eight aspects of the school and ranks three as “excellent”, signifying “outstanding, sector leading” standards. The remaining five are graded “very good”.
This new report comes just months after Camphill School Aberdeen received a glowing report as the only school in Aberdeen to hold the internationally-recognised Autism Accreditation.
Laurence Alfred, a co-ordinator at Camphill School Aberdeen, commented:
“The report is tremendously encouraging for everyone at the school. It comes at a time when – in common with so many charities – we face considerable challenges.
“The report talks about how the children and young people are actively involved in their own learning. This is one of the key aspects of Camphill School Aberdeen, which operates as a school community.
“Our emphasis is on mutual care and respect. Everyone contributes to the life of the school to the extent of their abilities. So, this very positive report really does reflect the combined efforts of staff, volunteers, the young people themselves and their parents.
“We are eager to build on this success and to work with local authorities to find ways that can make this quality of provision more accessible to individuals and families who need it.”
Karen Johnston, from the Camphill School Aberdeen parents’ group, commented:
“I’m delighted to see the school receive such a positive report. One of the points it makes is that parents express very high levels of satisfaction with the school and kindergarten. As one of our parents has commented, this is a school that really understands the concept of a partnership with parents.
“Our son is a very happy teenager with an active social life, surrounded by people who treat him with dignity and respect; we have Camphill to thank for that.
“Camphill may have been around for 70 years but their ideas still hold very true. As this report suggests, they are sector leaders.”
Iain Nisbet, Govan Law Centre, visit on 30 November
Iain again visited the School and updated co-workers and parents in regard to current legislation relating to Children and Young People with Additional Support Needs. The event was well attended by parents from Camphill as well as other interested people.
Visit of Dr Olga Bogdashina, 15 November
Dr Olga Bogdashina, a world-famous expert on Autism, led her second day workshop on Communication Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome. The event was again very informative and all who attended left having had their knowledge in regard to understanding autism strengthened.
Valerie Watts, Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council visits
Valerie Watts, Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council, visited Camphill School Aberdeen on Wednesday 2nd November. During her time in Camphill she was shown around the School, seeing a number of facilities: the schoolhouse, therapy centre and Nature Nurture room as well as semi- independent living accommodation and a residential house. She met with a representative of the Pupil Council and local parent group as well as senior management. Following her visit we hope that our partnership with Aberdeen City will be strengthened.
Mini Conference with Linn Moor School
The first joint conference with Linn Moor School, a local independent school for children and young people with additional support needs, took place on Monday 24th October. About 30 people attended and both schools had the opportunity to share about the services they offer. It was agreed that the conference was very worthwhile and that another will be held shortly with an invitation being extended to at least one other school.
Camphill co-worker to train Grampian Autistic Society staff
Bernhard Menzinger, a senior co-worker from Camphill School Aberdeen, has been asked to train the staff group of Grampian Autistic Society in the understanding of and therapeutic approaches to autism.
Nature Nurture Project featured in the Scottish Government’s 'Go Play Outcome and Evaluation Framework'
On 1st November co-workers from the Nature Nurture Project attended the Aberdeen launch of the 'Go Play Outcome and Evaluation Framework'. They had the opportunity to take part in the creation of this framework and are featured as a case study in the pack. The Framework describes ”what the play sector does, how it makes a difference and how it links to local and national priorities”. It is useful as a means of communicating with stakeholders, as a source of inspiration for project or organisational development and training, and as a support for making applications for funding and reporting outcomes to funders.
Following this, the Scottish Government’s Head of Play visited the project and met some of the children and coworkers involved.
BA in Social Pedagogy (BASP) recognised as an accredited qualification by the Scottish Social Services Commission
Following the Scottish Social Services Commission’s council meeting on 25th October, it was announced that the Commission will keep the BASP on all areas of the register for Scottish Social Service Workers where it was before the review, except in regard to managers for day care for children. We believe this is an important recognition of the value of the degree course run in partnership between Camphill and the University of Aberdeen and of the ongoing work of Social Pedagogy in Scotland.
Neil Gentleman from the Residential and Secure Care Service in the Scottish Government visits Camphill School
Neil visited Camphill School Aberdeen as part of the Scottish Government’s review of the National Residential Child Care Initiative which was launched in 2009. He said, “I was not surprised by your passion and sense of purpose … The facilities and opportunities for young people are clearly impressive … Yours is clearly a well-rooted but forward-thinking service”.
Annual Report
This year’s annual report in its new handier format is now available. It is packed with stories of interest and well worth a read. You can request a copy from the Camphill School office or download it: Annual Report 2010-2011 (PDF).
Our Planet
This term the Pupil Council has been busy in its efforts to promote Camphill School Aberdeen as an Eco School. Four topics have been chosen for the school to work at: Saving energy, Water usage, Litter and Waste minimisation, and the pupils are working hard so that we achieve our goals and can fly the flag! On Friday 23rd September the eco committee organised a healthy picnic as part of the national ‘One Planet’ day and we all enjoyed food grown and/or prepared on the Estate. We are also hoping to build a greenhouse out of two-litre plastic bottles so please look out for collection points.
Autistic Society Accreditation achieved again - Parents 100% satisfied
Following a review of the service provided by Camphill School Aberdeen, we have again been accredited by the National Autistic Society and remain the only school in Aberdeen to have achieved this accolade. In one of the surveys conducted during the review, 100% of parents were satisfied or more than satisfied with the service their children received.
Autism Accreditation Review Report 2011
Respite Offered
Respite is now offered to all Camphill School pupils as well as non-Camphill School pupils throughout the school holidays. Application for this can be made via the School office on 01224 867935 or j.ferries@crss.org.uk
Camphill School Aberdeen Now Open 52 Weeks a Year
Following requests to be open the whole year through, we now operate and are open for business a full 52 weeks a year. This has resulted in children and young people being referred to Camphill from Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as more locally.
