Salterford House SchoolThe Hive
The Hive is a vibrant and nurturing Special Needs hub within our independent school, providing a safe, supportive, and stimulating learning environment for up to 19 pupils aged 5 to 12. All pupils who attend The Hive have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and have been placed here through the local authority. The provision specialises in supporting children with Autism, offering tailored teaching approaches that enable every learner to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
At the heart of The Hive’s ethos is a belief in individual potential. We work closely with families, therapists, and outside agencies to create personalised learning plans, ensuring that each child’s unique strengths are celebrated and their needs met. The hub is staffed by two experienced SEND teachers, supported by a dedicated team of teaching assistants. This high level of adult support allows for flexible, responsive teaching and a high degree of individual attention.
The Hive is organised into three well-resourced learning spaces. For our younger pupils in Key Stage 1, the Continuous Provision classroom offers a play-based approach, blending structured learning with opportunities for exploration and creativity. Activities are carefully designed to develop communication, early literacy, numeracy, and social skills in a calm, predictable environment. The space is rich in sensory resources, enabling children to regulate and engage positively with their learning.
Our Key Stage 2 pupils learn in a more formal classroom setting, following a semi-formal curriculum that combines core subjects—English, maths, phonics, and science—with life skills and creative opportunities. Lessons are adapted to individual needs, with small group teaching and one-to-one support where appropriate. In addition to academic learning, the curriculum incorporates specialist interventions such as Attention Autism, TACPAC, and a range of speech and language programmes, fostering communication, interaction, and sensory integration.
The third room in The Hive is a dedicated sensory room, a calm and inviting environment designed to help children self-regulate and prepare to learn. Here, pupils can access a variety of sensory activities tailored to their individual needs—ranging from soothing light displays and gentle sounds to tactile resources and movement-based equipment. This space plays a vital role in supporting emotional regulation, reducing anxiety and helping children return to the classroom ready to focus and engage.
The Hive places a strong emphasis on inclusion within the wider school community. Older children take part in whole-class activities in the main school, including music, drama, PE, swimming, outdoor learning and gardening. They also have full access to the school’s extensive outdoor spaces, encouraging physical activity, social interaction, and a connection with nature. Younger children enjoy their own secure outdoor area, alongside opportunities to join Early Years and KS1 main school sessions—such as music, PE and drama—with the support of their teaching assistant.
Our approach balances structure with flexibility, ensuring that pupils feel safe, respected and understood. Consistent routines and clear expectations help reduce anxiety, while sensory breaks, movement opportunities, and calm spaces allow children to regulate their emotions and maintain focus. Staff are highly skilled in communication strategies, visual supports and autism-friendly teaching methods, ensuring that every learner can access the curriculum in a way that is meaningful for them.
The Hive is more than a specialist provision—it is a place where children grow in confidence, independence, and joy. Through a combination of targeted support, inclusive opportunities, and a deep commitment to understanding each child, we empower our pupils to make progress at their own pace and to develop the skills they need for the next stage of their learning journey.