Major Achievements 2005-2010
In the School’s most recent inspection by HM Inspectorate and the Care Commission in September 2007, there were 16 quality indicators inspected; Camphill was deemed to be:
Excellent (outstanding, sector leading) in 3
Very good (major strengths) in 12
Good (important strengths with some areas of improvements) in 1
In the most recent Care Commission Inspection reports, Camphill and Amber Kindergarten have regularly received an average grade of 5 (very good)
Camphill is accredited with the National Autistic Society
Over the last 5 academic years, 66 pupils left Camphill:
- 17 went to other residential communities
- 16 went home and to their local community
- 11 went to other Camphill Communities
- 10 went into supported-living accommodation
- 5 went to supported-living Camphill Communities
- 4 returned to mainstream education
- 2 went to College
- 1 became an apprentice
During the same 5-year period, only one pupil was excluded, at the end of his trial period, despite the majority of our pupils having been excluded from their previous schools
In the academic year 2009-2010, 9 pupils received the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Over the last 2 academic years, 18 pupils received awards under The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Awards Scheme
The Nature Nurture® team has been recognised by the Scottish Government as worthy to receive Scottish Go Play money. The work has been highlighted on the front page of The Times Education supplement
Camphill has consistently lived within its budget through careful monitoring of the expenditure budget. The School believe that on a purely financial comparison it offers excellent value
When this is viewed alongside the excellent quality inspection results above, Camphill believes it offers ‘Best Value’ to purchasers
In partnership with Aberdeen University, Camphill runs a BA (Hons) in Social Pedagogy. This holistic professional programme was recently identified by the Centre for Learning and Teaching at the University of Aberdeen as an example of good teaching practice
In partnership with Target Training Aberdeen, Camphill developed and now present the first PDA (Professional Development Award) in Autism at SQA level 4 in the United Kingdom
Presentations were made at the 2010 Annual Conference of the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care on the Nature Nurture® Project and the St Andrew’s Project as examples of ‘high quality services’
In 2009 Camphill was highlighted at the Scottish Learning Festival as an example of good practice. A DVD was shown and a workshop on ‘Social Pedagogy in Practice’ held
Two major national conferences were organised and hosted in 2010 by Camphill:
- ‘Living and working with children and young people who have suffered trauma’, led by Dr Bruce Perry
- ‘Autism: Sensory Perception and the Triad of Perspectives’, led by Dr Olga Bogdashina
Camphill co-workers are regularly asked to present university courses and to run workshops in the UK. Furthermore, our senior co-workers are invited to lecture in South Africa, India, Lebanon, Russia, Israel, Pakistan and Botswana.
