Orchard House

Orchard House is a county-wide provision supporting young people in years 7-11 whose mental health needs are currently preventing them from accessing their existing school. Placements at Orchard House are short term and enable students to access core subjects only within a small, inclusive setting. Students are referred to Orchard House with the support of their clinicians at CAMHS (the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service).

Young people attend Orchard House in Key Stage cohorts, either mornings or afternoons. They receive an offer of the core curriculum, art and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education), as well as a fortnightly reflective and wellbeing session focusing on building resilience to return to full time education. In Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and 11), the students also have access to careers and transition support.

Students are taught in small groups which means that staff can focus on relationships with the students and are able to highly personalise the teaching and be responsive to student need. Formative assessment is ongoing and continuous, taking into account their physical, medical and emotional condition, and is used to inform planning and to support student progress.

Students and families are supported by our Family Liaison Officer, who works closely with students where a Child In Need or Child Protection plan is in place. All pupils and students with an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) have a learning plan to support their education and reviews are regularly held with parents/carers and pupils, home schools and multi-professional colleagues. If appropriate students are supported through the EHCP assessment process.

Students are supported with reintegration back into school or to another suitable destination, as well as offering advice to schools on how particular medical and mental health conditions may impact on a pupils’ behaviour and attainment

Please click here for more information about referrals to Orchard House.

Orchard House Leadership

Anna Newbold - Head of School

Anna began her teaching career in 2008 with Teach First after volunteering in Ethiopia, where she discovered the power of education. She started as an English teacher in Ealing, quickly advancing to deputy head of English and Head of Learning, focusing on pastoral care. In 2013, she transitioned to Medical Alternative Provision in Barnet, establishing a teaching base for secondary students with mental health challenges. Promoted to Assistant Head and Head of School, she led Teaching and Learning across an academy trust. After relocating to Buckinghamshire in 2022, she joined Orchard House as an English teacher, and by September 2024, became Head of School alongside Rebecca Brooks. Together, they nurture and support students to re-engage with education, enhancing their well-being and self-esteem.

Rebecca Brooks - Head of School

Rebecca’s education journey started 29 years ago at Amersham College, teaching BTEC and A-Level Media and Communication Studies. After moving to Harrow College in 2001 and Tring Secondary School in 2008, she took a break in 2015 to work with CWP, supporting teachers in drug and sex education. In 2018, Rebecca joined Aspire, teaching PSHE and becoming PSHE Department Head and Mental Health Lead at Blueprint. By 2022, she moved to Aspire’s Medical Provision as Teaching and Learning Lead, developing PSHE programs. In January 2024, Rebecca became the Interim Head of School at Orchard House followed by a joint appointment as Head of School with Anna Newbold from September 2024.  Together, they passionately support their students and strive to provide exceptional, personalized education at Orchard House.