Acorn Care and Education Group

[Papergirl1968]

Does anyone have a child at any of the 16 Acorn-run schools and if so, what do you think?
Dd2 has emotional and behavioural problems, and was excluded from her mainstream school a few months ago
The Acorn group are opening a new school near us in September, and if she gets an EHCP as I hope she will, and if the council will agree to fund her place, I’m hoping she can go there. I went to an open day this week and was impressed.

Our ds 14 is at one of their schools ( boys only) and has been there since half way through yr7. Mostly it has been an improvement on mainstream ed but it's still not without its problems. The school isn't great with communication which is one of the main areas I thought would be better because there should be a closer relationship between School and Home. The curriculum on offer is more up his street, less academic more outdoor stuff for him to do with an option this September of enrolling on a course at a different college to do a one day a week release 14-19 course learning the basics of horticulture and landscaping. I have felt at various times that the management are a bit 'closed shop ' and you really have to push to be heard but like mainstream, and some of the staff seem jaded but that goes with territory I suppose. They like their rules and are keen to maintain boundaries which is good and kids can earn rewards for a Friday which worked well for us initially but my ds isn't so bothered by that stuff now, if he loses privelidges then he doesn't care😩

That’s interesting, Ooo, thank you.
At the open day they promised close commuication with home, including a call every afternoon, to mention what had gone well and what hadn’t.
They were also talking about the privileges a lot - it seems to be an ethos of working in the mornings, and more fun stuff in the afternoons.
The head has moved from another of their schools.
DD got her EHCP so that’s a step forward but now I’m told the school will start off with less than 15 kids, working up to its total of 90 over four years, and may already be full for sept.
I’m thinking that even if she gets in, how can they offer GCSEs with such a small number of pupils? But if she was in school every day and not constantly being sent home at least that would be an improvement on the last couple of years.

Yea it sounds like she would at least be accessing some education better than none.

papergirl1968 I went to visit the Wenlock school too, I assume that's the one you are talking about, it looks quite impressive.
Are you in Dudley LEA and have they actually agreed to fund?
I don't think it is suitable for my son because he is extremely academic just very anxious (no behavioural issues) but I think it looks very good.

Hi, Tara, yes, Wenlock.
We are in Dudley and they haven’t agreed to fund yet. The EHCP only came through a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve since been told Wenlock is full for the opening in September.
Pace and Bloomfield have been mentioned too, but Wenlock was my top choice. I’m getting worried that as little happens during the summer break, we’re going to end up with nowhere for her to go.
Where are you thinking of?