Stoke Newington school for autistic children needs help to create sixth form
Labour MP Diane Abbott and Pat Quigley, head of The Garden School, in front of the children's artwork - Credit: Archant
An “outstanding” school for children with autism and severe learning difficulties wants to create a sixth form – which would be the first of its kind in Hackney.
Labour MP Diane Abbott and a pupil of The Garden School - Credit: Archant
The Garden School, Wordsworth Road, Stoke Newington, has 120 pupils aged four to 16 on its register who can’t communicate verbally.
The 110 staff members use a bespoke curriculum to develop communication, learning, and independence in the purpose-built school. But head Pat Quigley says without a sixth form, the years of good work can be undone in the space of a few months.
With no suitable provisions in Hackney, some students have to travel as far as west London or Muswell Hill to find post-16 education, while others can’t access any and simply stay at home.
“Not only is travelling outside the borough more expensive, the disruption of finding a new school and settling in there can undo years of good work,” she said.
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“It can destroy whole families if they are not sure where their child will go or if they will get in. Cutting that out makes a massive difference – they are dealing with the same people and the same faces.”
The school, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2014, wants help in finding a site suitable for a sixth form they can open in 2017.
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After a presentation to councillors at this month’s budget meeting, staff have now turned to MP Diane Abbott for support.
On Friday, the shadow international development secretary took a tour of the school, chatting with children and teachers.
“It’s concerning we are seeing a big rise in autism in Hackney and it’s good the children are in a first class facility,” she said. “Lots of parents come to me for help, so it’s reassuring to know.”
She added the sixth form issue was a council one.
