The Orchard Centre has been open since September 2004. It offers specialised provision for children with moderate learning difficulties within a mainstream junior school setting.

The centre is housed in refurbished and purpose built accommodation in the main school building and caters for up to 18 children. Admission is by a panel, which normally meets in the autumn term. Criteria for admission are clear – all children must have a statement of special educational needs and their primary need must be a moderate learning difficulty.

The Orchard Centre staff work as part of The Hermitage school team and provide specialist teaching and support for the pupils within the centre as well as learning support within the main school setting. The centre pupils all belong to a year group class and access the national curriculum as fully as possible. The children take part in whole school activities including assemblies, school trips, etc.

If appropriate, children from the mainstream join the Orchard Centre for lessons in order to access a modified curriculum incorporating a rich and wide variety of learning resources.

The Orchard Centre is dedicated to providing each child with an educational programme that will address his or her particular needs and will endeavour to foster a sense of belonging within the children allowing them to realise their importance to the whole school community.

                                    Look at the Tudor houses we made.