ADO River Valley - Independent Special School - Ofsted Grading ‘Good’.

ADO River Valley - Independent Special School - Ofsted Grading ‘Good’ in all four areas.

Type of Provision

ADO River Valley is an Independent Special School which is based outdoors, focusing on a broad and balanced curriculum which aims to spark adventure and wonder for learning and life through the medium of the great outdoors and build our students resilience and self-esteem to face life’s challenges.

Who Can Access?

Our Independent Special School is a full-time provision, that has 24 spaces available for students aged 14-19 with an EHC Plan, who for a wide variety of reasons feel unable to access a traditional education. 

We focus on supporting young people who have Social, Emotional, Mental Health (SEMH) issues and associated needs such as Learning Difficulties, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Adverse Childhood Experiences/ associated school traumas.

We aim to work specifically with young people who have a career aim or interest in one of our bespoke career pathways.
We are a BTEC accredited centre and offer a wide variety of Vocational Qualifications, in subjects that include sport, equine studies, animal studies and land-based studies.

We also offer Functional Skills in Mathematics English and Digital Skills. 

Aims and Objectives

Our aim is to provide a specialist setting with a vocational curriculum for our students with an equal emphasis on education and well-being. Our aim is to empower our students to achieve their full potential and embrace our holistic approach to education, through wildlife, animals, nature and other eco-based areas. When educating outdoors, students are encouraged to take personal responsibility through risk and co-operate with respecting the needs of others.

ADO River Valley wishes to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens, ready to meet the challenges of the future and growing up in a modern society within Greater London.
We do this by providing a safe learning environment with a welcoming atmosphere, which creates a sense of belonging amongst stakeholders and the wider community. We maintain an inclusive environment, which acknowledges, respects’ and celebrates students from diverse family and cultural backgrounds.

We have specialist pastoral staff including therapists to support the needs of students with a range of special educational needs and complex learning difficulties or disabilities including mental ill health. Our staff team with therapy qualifications and experience include specialisms in the following interventions:

• Counselling
• Animal Therapy
• Equine Therapy / Facilitated Interactions
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Relaxation Therapy
• Occupational Therapy 
• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy