Letter from Camphill

Christmas 2011

There is only one place to start this contribution and that is with the excellent verbal feedback we received following the integrated inspection undertaken by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate earlier in November. Rarely these days, we were told, does a school receive such a positive report. Although we are not yet allowed to give any details, I can share that our grades were all within the top two categories and that the inspectors noted 6 ‘key strengths’, the maximum allowed:

1) Happy, relaxed children and young people who feel safe, valued and respected
2) The motivation and dedication of all staff and their sensitivity to meet all needs
3) The use of the natural environment to support all children and young people
4) The quality of transitions
5) The breadth of the curriculum including therapeutic support leading to positive achievements for young people
6) The effective implementation of a clear and shared vision of care and education by the co ordinators

This was a timely and necessary result in the tough economic times we find ourselves in as it confirmed both for us and for the local authorities on whom we depend that we offer ‘best value’ across the board. The final version of the report will be published in January.

The inspection coincided with us admitting our first three full 52 week boarders. With these additions we are now working with a very wide spectrum of different placements and now need to take stock and see where we should put our efforts when we look at further development. Meanwhile the St Andrew’s Project is ‘bursting at the seams’ with applications for transition programmes post 18 and we must see how we can take this forward.

This term has also seen further activity in our attempt to deepen our relationship with Aberdeen City Council. Valerie Watts, Chief Executive of the City Council, has visited, as have our three local councillors. All were very impressed with what they saw and met here; we wait to see what ramifications these visits have for the future.

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”. Following this, the Scottish Government’s Head of Play visited the project in Camphill and met some of the children and co-workers involved.

Around the same time, Neil Gentleman from the Residential and Secure Care Service in the Scottish Government visited Camphill School as part of the Scottish Government’s review of the National Residential Child Care Initiative which was launched in 2009. He later wrote, “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”.

This term we hosted two major events: the second visit of Dr Olga Bogdashina and the third of Iain Nisbet of the Govan Law Centre. Both were well attended and very worthwhile. There is a commitment from both to visit again and we look forward to this.

Our co-workers continue to be asked to offer training out-with Camphill and one has been asked to train the staff group of Grampian Autistic Society in the understanding of, and therapeutic approaches to, autism.

As usual this year we have enjoyed all the traditional Christmas preparations: the beautiful Advent Garden; the visit of St Nicholas; the Advent sales; both the Paradise Play and a beautiful new offering of the Nativity Play performed largely by those connected to the St Andrew’s Project. Many went to the Highlands to cut Christmas trees and the Christmas School Festivals were a fitting end to the year.

Laurence Alfred