Scroll down to find out more about our service and to read some testimonials about us
The place for square pegs struggling to fit in the round holes of life.
Offering help for children, families and teachers.
Statement of Purpose
This outlines our vision, journey and mission statement
The Old Post Office C.I.C. believe that all children have the right to feel safe, happy and engaged in their learning. Through our support, we hope to support all the square pegs who are struggling to fit into the round holes of the education system.
Over a few years, a group of experienced, qualified teachers, school leaders and SENCos came together often to discuss the issues they were witnessing in schools on a daily basis. They were seeing teachers trying hard to meet the criteria of ‘quality first teaching’ with large classes, large numbers of children with complex and special educational needs, and a cramped curriculum. We observed budgets being stretched and how this affects staff and children to provide the best learning experiences for children. We saw many children being removed from mainstream schools to be educated at home because parents wanted something more creative for their children, wanted to remove their children from being within a class where others were suffering from the pressures of the modern age, and leaving because their child’s behaviour was affected by the teachers being unable to meet their needs in the classroom.
We felt we had seen a gap that we could potentially fill, between all the other options for education – mainstream, special, private school and elective home education. We wondered how we could support the growing numbers of anxious children who were struggling to attend and thrive in their educational setting; we couldn’t see where they could be supported, especially with external agencies being stretched and therefore offering long waiting times for the help these children need. We designed a purpose-built venue that could accommodate most of a child or young person’s sensory, emotional, social, mental health and academic needs. We provide a neurodiversity-affirmative education.
We set out with a vision to identify and meet children and young people’s needs. Through small group and individual work, we have provided a bridge for children and young people who are not currently in school; this bridge can take them back into school with the requisite skills to make their reintegration successful, or it might lead them to a different setting. We work with the whole family to identify the barriers which the child or young person has faced and plan a way to remove these or provide strategies to negotiate them. We work with the family to help their child or young person’s needs be recognised and the right support put in place so that they can continue their educational journey feeling engaged, curious and ready to learn.
We feel that our provision is unique, this makes it very hard to simplify a description of ‘what we do’. We listen, we provide safety, we can be trusted, we observe, we are curious, we are calm, we remain positive, we can wait, we recognise difference, we value equity and inclusion, we respond to need, we are constantly flexible, we nurture, we are open, we will always be there.
The sons of the great horseman, Harvey Smith, loved to pull their old donkey around the orchard and Harvey wanted them to become international show jumpers like himself. He brought them a swanky pony, it threw them off, they went back to the donkey! Harvey had learned an important lesson. Harvey sold the pony and brought another swanky pony, but this time he asked the owner to turn it out in a field for 6 months. The pony grew hairy, fat and lazy and Harvey knew it was time to introduce the pony to the boys. The hairy pony was much like the familiar old donkey; the boys towed one another around the orchard on it and felt safe and happy. Eventually, they went faster on the pony and were ready to jump; when they were ready to go to a competition, Harvey told his groom to clip off the hair and make the pony look smart. Beneath the hairy, slow pony had been a pony that could take the boys to greatness. Our tutors are like that pony; we start out very unlike a conventional teacher with our educational skills well hidden. We remain slow and calm, with low expectations, until that child or young person is ready to go faster and take on the hurdles in front of them! Harvey’s sons did go on to achieve greatness, and we feel that the children and young people that we work with are also capable of reaching their potential, and maybe more, with the right support.
About Us
The Vision
Support for those with Special Educational Needs
Home Education Support
The team at The Old Post Office believe that all children have the right to feel safe, happy and engaged in their learning. Through our support, we hope to support all the square pegs struggling to fit into the round holes of our current education system - including children, families and teachers!
Home Education Support
Support for those with Special Educational Needs
Home Education Support
At The Old Post Office, we know that mainstream education does not always meet the needs of all children and some families make the choice to educate their children at home.
We offer a variety of services to support those who choose to home educate their children:
* courses for small groups that combine a holistic, creative, independent a
At The Old Post Office, we know that mainstream education does not always meet the needs of all children and some families make the choice to educate their children at home.
We offer a variety of services to support those who choose to home educate their children:
* courses for small groups that combine a holistic, creative, independent and experiential learning experience with the necessary teaching of skills and knowledge to ensure children progress and achieve in the area of the curriculum covered
* parenting courses to help families navigate the complexities of educating their children at home
* advocacy / consultancy for families when dealing with problems
* support groups / parent sanctuary - sessions to help those who need a break or to spend some time with others who will understand their highs and lows
Support for those with Special Educational Needs
Support for those with Special Educational Needs
Support for those with Special Educational Needs
The team at The Old Post Office include a wealth of knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs. We also understand the cross over that often occurs between SEND and Home Education and hope that our team will be able to support this.
We are a growing service and are looking to offer th
The team at The Old Post Office include a wealth of knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs. We also understand the cross over that often occurs between SEND and Home Education and hope that our team will be able to support this.
We are a growing service and are looking to offer the following services:
* Consultancy - our team are able to book you in for an initial consultation where you will be able to share all your concerns in an open, supportive, safe and confidential place. During this initial consultation, we will offer a listening ear, tissues, tea and biscuits while you offload. We will help you unpick the issues and offer or signpost solutions. It may be that we continue to offer you support through our services, or we may signpost you to colleagues who can offer you what you need.
* Advocacy - our team are ready to help you to navigate professional paperwork and prepare for formal meetings. If needed, one of our team could come with you to meetings; our advocacy will remain focused on the needs and best interests of the child at all times.
* Testing - we are able to offer a range of diagnostic testing and have a range of professional advocates who are available to offer private assessments.
* Parenting support - we are able to offer a range of courses based on basic parenting, ways to support your child's development, and identifying and coping with more specific needs
*Groups - we can offer special 1-1 and group courses to support children with different needs
Testimonials
Parent of KS3 Student with EBSA
Selina Box - parent of child with SEN
Selina Box - parent of child with SEN
All at The Old Post Office team have listened carefully to us and helped us to consider all our options for our Y8 SEN child who is currently on roll at school but cannot attend for emotional reasons. They have also provided us with valuable options and opportunities that we didn't know existed for our set of circumstances, such face to face lessons, on line learning platforms and certified award schemes. These have allowed our daughter to safely explore ways of alternative learning and begin to trust the learning experience again without feeling pressured. This has enabled her to show positive progress academically despite experiencing a complete disengagement from school based learning.. Thank you team for your continued support and flexibility!
Selina Box - parent of child with SEN
Selina Box - parent of child with SEN
Selina Box - parent of child with SEN
We are so lucky to have come across The Old Post Office, Anita has offered our son invaluable experience of learning with others. As a highly sensitive ASD child he is not able to access mainstream schooling but The Old Post Office Hub has allowed him the chance to learn with others in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Anita is a highly knowledgeable, fun, creative and brilliant educator who thinks through all aspects of eduction and provides the perfect space for a diverse group of children to learn. TOPO is an inclusive, dynamic and nurturing place for children to learn and our son has gained so much from his time there. I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Sophie Douglas
Selina Box - parent of child with SEN
Sophie Douglas
Anita is supporting our 7 year old son who is diagnosed with ASD with the PDA profile and ADHD. She supports him in his school environment with literacy and numeracy. She has been invaluable in helping him to be able to engage in reading and writing and maths through her extensive knowledge and adaptive approach to student centred learning.
Her expertise in education have been invaluable in support us to navigate getting our son appropriate support.
Sam Homewood
A 7 year old boy with SEN
Sophie Douglas
We have been attending regular classes at the Old Post Office for 9 months. I have two home educated children aged 6 & 9 and they both love it. The teaching style and content covered is great. I love that they learn in a small and nurturing environment. To have this provision is wonderful as it works so well alongside our other learning. Thank you to all
of the staff for all that you do!
Jemma Poulton
A 7 year old boy with SEN
A 7 year old boy with SEN
The Old Post Office has been such a sanctuary for my son. Anita provides a safe space for children to learn and express themselves. She has been patient, encouraging and open to his needs and worries. The change and growing confidence in my son is such a joy to watch - within a couple of months he has gone from hiding and dreading the classroom to running into class and excited to express his ideas and views. Forever grateful for this space and finding a like minded community
A 7 year old boy with SEN
A 7 year old boy with SEN
A 7 year old boy with SEN
“It’s great there. You can take breaks whenever you need them and it’s perfect for autistic children.” languages.
Tegan Shoesmith
Tegan Shoesmith
Tegan Shoesmith
Our son has been having 1:1 tutoring sessions with Anita at The Old Post Office since February.
We enquired about some additional support to help him progress with the KS1 curriculum, whilst also attending school. Anita has been fantastic in providing us with a detailed initial assessment and weekly 1:1 tutoring sessions. We are able to share the weekly reports with school so links can be made with his learning there.
Our son is now on track to meet the requirements for the end of KS1 and most importantly, thoroughly enjoys his weekly sessions. He often asks “When are we going to Anita’s?”