We never underestimate the importance of a place. Comfortable surroundings combined with the right education and care, produce a feeling of ease and security which is essential for children with autism.
We understand residential schools can never replace a student's home, but we make every effort to create a welcoming, family environment where they feel safe and comfortable. In addition, our staff are caring professionals, who also demonstrate many of the characteristics of good parents. They apply a gentle, yet firm and consistent approach providing the emotional and educational support our students need.
For children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, this variety of educational experience can be wonderfully therapeutic. The satisfaction of working with nature combined with our active therapeutic input produce extraordinary tangible results. These are valuable, hands-on experiences that help our students to understand more about their world and more about themselves.
Hill House School has well-designed classrooms, sensory rooms and vast outdoor spaces with garden areas for our students to plant, explore and experience different sensory activities. Accommodation is offered in small living groups with a calm and friendly ambience.
Indoor Facilities
Indoor learning and wellbeing are central to everyday school life. The school’s diverse range of indoor facilities provides young people with opportunities to learn, create, recharge, and feel supported. From the calm focus of the library to the stimulating sensory room and the energy of the sports hall, these spaces give pupils the freedom to explore their interests, develop new skills, and thrive in a comfortable and nurturing environment.
Sensory Room
The sensory room is a calm, comforting space designed to support relaxation, exploration, and sensory development. It features a padded mat floor, a wide range of soft-play shapes and mats for creating sensory setups, and cosy beanbags for quiet downtime. With a variety of sensory toys and resources, the room encourages pupils to self-regulate, build confidence, and engage in gentle, supported play.
Library
The library is a warm, inviting space that promotes curiosity, focus, and a love of reading. With its book-shelf wallpaper, rows of well-stocked shelves, and comfortable sofas, it offers a calm and quiet retreat within the school. Pupils can relax with a book, explore new interests, and enjoy a peaceful environment that supports learning and wellbeing.
Cafe
The café, tucked just off the courtyard, is a welcoming social space where young people can build confidence, independence, and real-world skills. Our young people help prepare and serve food, gaining hands-on experience in a supportive environment. It’s also a place to sit, eat, and spend time together, with young people encouraged to order their own food, an opportunity that supports choice-making, reduces social anxieties, and strengthens their autonomy. ACC devices can be used to assist with communication, ensuring everyone can take part fully. The café is a vibrant community hub where independence, connection, and shared experiences come to life.
Green Room
The Green Room is a peaceful, light-filled space designed to offer calm, comfort, and a break from the busy school day. With its bright green forest wallpaper, soft sofas, TV, and table and chairs, it provides a welcoming environment where young people can relax on their own or spend time with a supportive adult. It serves as a safe space for regulating emotions, taking a quiet moment, or simply enjoying a change of environment
Together, these indoor spaces offer far more than comfort and shelter, they nurture wellbeing, confidence, and independence. Whether relaxing in a calm sensory environment, exploring books in the library, taking part in sporting activities, building real-life skills in the café, or finding quiet time in the Green Room, the indoor facilities at Hill House School create a supportive, enriching environment where every young person can thrive.
Outdoor Facilities
Outdoor learning and wellbeing play an important role in everyday school life. The school’s wide range of outdoor facilities gives young people the chance to explore, play, relax, and connect with nature in a safe and supportive environment. Together, these outdoor spaces offer much more than recreation, they support wellbeing, independence, and personal growth. Whether learning through nature, caring for animals, or enjoying time with friends, the outdoor facilities at Hill House School play an important role in helping every young person flourish.
Playground
The playground is full of energy and fun, offering a large track for ride-on cars, big round swings, traditional swings, and gym-style equipment. It encourages movement, play, and confidence-building in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Courtyard
At the heart of the school, the courtyard is a welcoming space where the community comes together for events, celebrations, and everyday social time. With benches and open space, it’s perfect for relaxing with friends, enjoying fun days, and sharing achievements.
Forest Area
The school’s large forest area provides a quiet, peaceful space surrounded by trees, birdsong, and wildlife. It’s a place for reflection and relaxation, helping young people find calm and focus. A cosy cabin within the forest is used for outdoor learning, creativity, and group activities.
Allotment
The school allotment is a vibrant space where young people grow flowers and vegetables, learning through hands-on experiences. They take pride in planting, nurturing, and harvesting their crops, building confidence and patience along the way. Gardening also offers a calming and therapeutic connection to nature.
Chickens & Guinea Pigs
Hill House is home to a lively group of chickens, cared for by the young people who feed them, clean their coop, and collect their eggs. The eggs are sold to staff, with the money used to buy food, treats, and equipment making the chickens self-sufficient. This project teaches responsibility, teamwork, and empathy for animals.
In addition, the young people also care for a group of guinea pigs, ensuring they are fed, handled gently, and kept in clean, comfortable environments. These much-loved pets help build nurturing skills and provide comfort and companionship, further supporting the young people’s emotional wellbeing.
