News

Winner of a Natspec Award 2021!

We are thrilled to announce that Orchard Hill College has won a Natspec Award 2021 for Curriculum Innovation! The college’s nomination was for was the recovery curriculum; RESET, RECOVER, RECONNECT! The creation and implementation of the recovery curriculum was to …
14th May 2021

New toolkit launched for therapists

Sarah Gummett-Hart, a Music Therapist at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust has led a group of therapists from across Natspec (membership organisation for specialist further education) to develop a new toolkit. Natspec has assembled a toolkit to support therapy …
14th May 2021

Being Extraordinary for the Extra Ordinary

Executive Principal of The Link Schools, Sandy Turner and PDA and Outreach Teacher, Judy Turner have joined forces again to write another article for the May edition of  Autism Parenting Magazine. The article is entitled “Being Extraordinary for the Extra …
10th May 2021

Pathological Demand Avoidance article published in Autism Parenting Magazine

We are proud to advise that The Link Schools have had another article published in Autism Parenting Magazine – April 2021.  Executive Principal, Sandy Turner and PDA and Outreach Teacher, Judy Turner collaborated to write the article entitled “Building Emotional …
26th April 2021

Principal appointed at St Dominic’s School

We are pleased to announce that, after a robust recruitment process, Mrs Victoria Perry, who has worked at St. Dominic’s School for many years most recently in the role of Vice Principal, has become Principal of St. Dominic’s School; concurrently, …
18th April 2021

Principal appointed at Carew Academy

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr James Kearns as Principal of Carew Academy. Mr Kearns joins us from Thomas Moore School in Purley where he was Deputy Headteacher. Mr Kearns said: ‘I was lucky enough to meet …
18th April 2021

Principal appointed at Unified Academy

The Trust have appointed Mrs Annabelle Thomas, as the new Principal at Unified Academy. Mrs Thomas joins us from Young People’s Academy within OHC&AT and has a wealth of experience in SEND education and is extremely well placed to drive the …
18th April 2021

Sharing good practice, knowledge and ideas

Sandy Turner, Executive Principal of The Link Schools and her colleague Danielle Donnelly, Primary class teacher and Maths co-ordinator have collaborated to write an informative article for Autism Parenting Magazine entitled ‘OCD and Autism: Unpicking Children’s Behaviour in a Dual …
7th April 2021

Apprenticeship article by Susan Barnes published in Nasen Connect magazine

OHC&AT Head of Apprenticeships, Susan Barnes’ article ‘Championing skills for SEND’ is featured in the March edition of Nasen Connect magazine. The article examines the importance of championing the talents and skills of apprentices with SEND, and of showing the …
7th April 2021

Shortlisted for Natspec Awards 2021!

We are thrilled to announce that Orchard Hill College has been shortlisted for two Natspec Awards. The Natspec Awards aim to recognise and celebrate excellent practice in the specialist further education sector. They promote innovation, continuous improvement, and raise standards …
31st March 2021

New ‘In the media’ resource page

We have launched a new ‘In the media’ resource page. OHC&AT’s expert practitioners and partners regularly contribute to a range of articles, best practice pieces and news stories across specialist and education media. Click here to read the latest. 
7th March 2021

Topping Out Ceremony for Addington Valley Academy

Today marked a great milestone in the construction of our first special free school in Croydon. Key stakeholders were invited by building contractor, Kier, to witness the ‘topping out’ of Addington Valley Academy. The virtual ceremony took place on the …
23rd February 2021