Type of service: Day schools, Residential schools, Schools

The Forum School was deemed to be "an outstanding school" for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as determined by Ofsted in their October 2012 report. We offer a 38 & 52 week co-educational programme. Day places are available for students who live nearby. Admission can take place at any time during the school year. Our students have a diagnosis of ASD. The Forum School is a part of the Cambian Group, one of the UK's leading providers of specialist services in education and care for young people with ASDs. Students have full access to the national curriculum with teaching appropriately differentiated to meet the needs of our young people. The Forum draws upon a proven programme of specialist education, specialist 24-hour care and a wide range of clinical and therapeutic inputs, including speech and language therapy, behavioural therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry and psychology. Multi-disciplinary teams and high staff ratios ensure intensive individual support. The Forum is located in the glorious Dorset countryside near the village of Shillingstone. We have 28 acres of land, providing areas for play and relaxation, ideal for students with ASD. The school has a full size riding stable, theatre and swimming pool. We do follow the Structure, Positive (approaches and expectations), Empathy, Low arousal, Links (SPELL) framework for students who will benefit from it. Residential respite services are just for their own pupils.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability