North Hill House Accommodation and facilities
Since opening in 1999 North Hill House has grown in strength and reputation resulting in a move to a new purpose-built site in 2003. North Hill House is situated a few hundred metres from the centre of the bustling market town of Frome in Somerset and offers the perfect combination of seclusion and space and yet easily accessible to the vitality of the local community. Frome is eleven miles from Bath, approximately one and a half hours by train to London, Paddington and equidistant to the nearby M3 and M4 motorways.
The students' academic needs are met within a suite of specialist classrooms offering access to the broadest curriculum possible including life skills, communication groups and independent life skills alongside the National Curriculum. Information and communication technology (ICT) features strongly within the school, which is proud to offer a high ratio of computers to students alongside interactive white boards, networked for effective learning within the classroom.
The school has a residential and day facility, which can accommodate up to 62 students. The living areas are located on one side of the building opposite the classrooms in five distinct areas. The accommodation consists mostly of single rooms with en-suite shower facilities. Each residential area has its own large, comfortably furnished lounge, with PlayStation, TV, DVD and video area. Emphasis is placed on ensuring comfort and privacy combined with a safe and warm family atmosphere.
The building is set in its own secure grounds and is only a few minutes from the town centre on foot. This offers the opportunity for students to practice social and life skills in the real situations of the town environment with the support and guidance of the staff. Mealtimes are an important opportunity for socialisation with staff and students eating together in the large ground-floor dining room.
Care staff provide individual pastoral support through a network of key personnel, combined with sensitive supervision and structure, underpinned by understanding and empathy. During the night-time, waking staff ensure the students are cared for and comfortable. Further safeguards for students are afforded by the security system consisting of closed circuit television, electronic locks and internal door alarms.