What age range do you currently cater for?
Year 5-11
Will you ever cater for sixth form or years 1-4?
It is unlikely we will ever cater for year 1-4, we are not specialists in this age group. Sixth formers are already welcome to engage in our driving courses and we can offer support to post sixteen wishing to take GCSE in core subjects. We anticipate offering support for A level maths English and Humanities in the future, either in small groups or as one to one tuition.
Are you able to accommodate young people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users?
Yes, access ramps, disabled toilet and ability to access all learning on ground floor.
My child always needs elevated levels of supervision, can you offer this?
The Stable is currently supporting students that have basic independence, can look after their own personal needs and, whilst experiencing acute anxiety and traits of PDA, want to interact with our team.
You mention PDA, do you have experience in this field?
• All Unicorn Staff have experience and training in nurturing those experiencing PDA traits. It is our belief that those with these characteristics will experience their impact throughout life and it is our job to show the young person how to work with their challenges thus learn how to adjust to social expectations of co-operation and team play.
No one is an island; all must be able to compromise, adapt and collaborate to fulfil their true potential. The Stable will provide a safe niche in which to learn these skills without loosing sight of one’s uniqueness.
Do you expect all your students to attend each session for their age group in a week?
No, we expect a commitment to a pre-agreed timetable. Once registered, we expect to see your child around 92% of their allotted time. Some young people may wish to attend for just one subject, this can be accommodated subject to there being spaces in the group. On Monday to Wednesday we will give priority to those wishing to attend all age-related sessions, but should the classes have seats available, we will offer them to those only wanting to experience a particular area of the curriculum. We are also happy to discuss one to one support at other times of the week. Please email Prof Rothchild to arrange an appointment to come in and discuss your individual aspirations.
Are all adult DBS checked and covered by personal liability insurance?
Of course, but we are incredibly pleased you checked!
Are the Professors special needs trained/experienced?
Yes, all staff are trained and experienced in working with neurodiversity, ace, PDA, acute anxiety, etc.
Do you have first aiders?
Yes, all staff hold first aid certification and are also trained in risk assessment, administration of medicines, manual handling, food hygiene, fire marshalling,
safeguarding, (all have level 2, most have level 3), trip management, allergy awareness, and other pertinent courses.
Do you use restraint /positive touch or similar systems.
We are strongly averse to the use of restraint in any of its forms. Obviously if your child is at risk of harm, we will take all necessary steps to protect them, which means if they step off a kerb without looking, we will pull them back. However. our discipline structure is designed to foster the child’s ability to develop self -control, respect for themselves and others, empathy, and co-operation. We believe in distract, defuse, redirect, and give space to self -regulate. We will offer fist bumps, high fives, air hugs, and with prior permission of parent and real time request of the young person, allow a physical hug in times of need and in the presence of a second adult.
Do you have a dress code?
We would like to see the young people dressed appropriately to learn and to enjoy our site. We envision plain T shirts/ plain polo shirts, comfortable trousers or skirts, flat footwear that encases the heel and the toes. We would like to see blues, turquoise, greens, pinks and greys that harmonise with our building.
We would like to see midriffs covered, legs protected from brambles, with long trousers/cargo pants and hoods down. Crop tops and short shorts are not welcome. We may offer T shirts with the Unicorn Logo for daily use. Our young people will have personal lanyards that they will wear on all trips, giving emergency contact details and we will, for safety reasons. also have a noticeable uniform t shirt to wear on such occasions. We are preparing our young people for success in the real world, which includes holding a fulfilling employment, thus we will expect outdoor clothing to be removed on arrival, hats off during lessons, etc. Comfort blankets will be available in our chill nooks but are unlikely to be used during learning times. Comfort mascots and fidget toys are welcome in all areas of the building. We have no draconian thoughts on hair colour/style, jewellery (other than take it off when required under health and safety) or the use of makeup.
Do you have rules about what can be in lunch boxes?
Yes, make it something they enjoy and is reasonably healthy. Keep the sugar level realistic. Please, no fizzy drinks, no energy drinks, no nuts, nothing with orange in it. Please ensure your young person knows to take all waste home with them.
No, whilst we will always have emergency supplies in case of a forgotten lunch box, we simply supervise young people eating food prepared in their own homes.
What is your mobile phone and electronics policy.
MP3 players set to quietly play a parent approved playlist are welcome. However mobile phones and games consoles are distraction and our colts have supervised access to the internet via Stable computers all day every day. These computers are e-safety compliant and ensure the young person cannot access chat rooms, the dark web, or any unsuitable sites. Thus, mobile phones and games consoles are not welcome beyond The Stable Reception. We would prefer mobile phones stayed at home, but if you feel your child needs them for the journey to and from the Stable and you do not personally bring them to our site, Reception will provide a box to place dormant phones in on arrival and they will be locked in a secure cabinet for the duration of the visit.
Are you a religious organisation?
No, we are respectful of all beliefs and cultures. We believe that uman is on earth as its caretaker, and we each have a personal responsibility to live the best life we can. We believe in offering the hand of friendship to everyone and in holding to the principles of integrity, honour, and compassion.
How will you keep us up to date on our young persons successes, challenges, and progress?
Regular emails, telephone chats and in person meetings. We will be organising half termly parent surgeries to engage with the Professors and it goes without saying that you will be welcome to ring professor Rothchild and book a one-to-one meeting with any of your young person’s team. You will also always be welcome in reception when you deliver and retrieve your young person and can speak to Professors Rothchild and Sterling who will answer general questions and relay request to the rest of the team.
What are your expectations regarding attendance?
We expect your young person to aim to punctually attend 92% of booked sessions. Bearing in mind we will be anxious about your and your child’s safety if you simply do not show; we politely request you notify Professor Rothchild by email or phone if you are unable to make a session.
If you have booked a one-to-one session, we will, subject to 48 hours’ notice, reschedule one session per term. All other sessions should be accepted as non refundable.
Will you ever refuse to work with my child?
Our consistent priority is to ensure your child their peers and our professors are physically safe. Whilst we do not have an intent to turn anyone away, we all must accept that no environment is perfect for everyone. If we feel your young person is compromising safety, we will have to discuss their future with us.
We will not accept anyone bringing a weapon or illegal substance into our community.
It is already clear that we will have a sizeable number of people looking for our support and we know that we will have no more than four places available in any age group. Consequently, if your young person falls beneath 80% attendance on the sessions that have been booked, we will ask that you relinquish your place to somebody who is sitting on our waiting list.
