Abbey School for Exceptional Children, a specialist school in Chester city centre that caters for children with autism, is set to open its brand-new residential offering.
Launching in the autumn term, Abbey Green is located close to the school grounds with safe pedestrian access in the heart of the city and will accommodate children aged eight to 19 years old who will benefit from term-time residential support.
Four beautifully refurbished houses
Pupils will have the opportunity to live in small groups as part of a ‘family unit’, cared for by a highly skilled team of residential staff to help create a ‘home away from home’.
The development comprises four beautifully refurbished terraced houses overlooking Chester’s ancient falconry, with each one having its own lounge, kitchen, activity area and garden, as well as en-suite bedrooms.
Safe and nurturing environment
Dr Katy Lee, who has been principal at Abbey School since its launch in 2020, said: “Launching a residential offering has been part of our vision at Abbey School since day one – we know that, for some children and their families, residential care and support is a necessity, so to finally be able to accept applications is a significant milestone in our school’s journey that will benefit everyone involved.
“Everything about Abbey Green has been created with our values and mission at its core to ensure our children can enjoy a safe and nurturing environment. All details have been carefully considered, from the colours used throughout the houses, to the bedroom furniture, to the outdoor spaces. We want our pupils to truly make these houses their homes, so we have worked closely with our designers to create beautiful spaces that can be personalised according to their needs and preferences. Making the transition to residential education can be daunting for anyone, but especially for young people with autism.
“We work closely with each pupil, their family, the local care teams, and local authority to ensure we know as much detail as possible – no matter how small – to ensure that each pupil has what we call a ‘soft landing’ with us.”
Abbey School combines learnings from special education research and best practice to provide an outstanding teaching and learning experience, with the wellbeing of pupils and staff sitting at the heart of the school’s philosophy.
For more information
Find out more about upcoming virtual open days and how to book a visit here: www.abbeyschool.com
