About Us
The Stables Independent School opened in September 2018 to provide education for children aged 6 to 14. Our school received two judgments of Good and two of Outstanding from Ofsted in May 2024.
Our educational model is grounded in the National Curriculum and tailored to each child’s individual learning level and needs. This approach is complemented by targeted interventions, including Fresh Start for phonics, reading and writing, and Accelerated Reader for comprehension, which provide additional support to enhance literacy skills.
2018
Established
20
Pupils
★ Good & Outstanding
OFSTED 2024
Head Teacher’s Welcome
Mrs Sarah Porter
Headteacher and DSL
The Stables Independent School is an educational provision for pupils in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (ages 6–14). We are a specialist provision supporting looked-after children with unmet trauma and attachment needs.
We have a unique relationship with Clover Childcare Services, which is the UK’s first Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) Residential Certified Organisation, and we work in close partnership to support the children in our care. With extensive experience and understanding of developmental trauma, our staff support children to heal and grow emotionally using the principles of DDP and the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy).
We believe that home and school should work together. Parents and carers are kept well informed, encouraged to share in their child’s achievements and welfare, and supported to engage in their child’s learning.
Every member of our school community is proud to be part of The Stables Independent School. We provide a unique and engaging learning environment, with small class sizes and a high staff-to-pupil ratio. Our enthusiastic and dedicated team offers a wide range of learning experiences.
The proprietors and senior leadership team are committed to providing a well-structured developmental journey that supports children throughout their time with us and prepares them for their next placement. With an ethos of care, support and positive relationships at the heart of all we do, children are nurtured and taught to respect, value and co-operate with all members of our school community.
We believe that all children at The Stables should have access to a broad and rich curriculum, and leave our school with enthusiasm and readiness for their future learning.
Communication and Interaction
To support communication and interaction, we focus on creating a comfortable, encouraging environment where children feel confident to express themselves. Our small class sizes (no more than six students per class) and high adult-to-child ratio allow us to provide individualised attention. Staff members are trained in DDP and the PACE approach, fostering strong relationships and emotional containment. This supportive environment encourages open communication, helping children to engage more deeply in learning and social interaction.
Cognition and Learning
Our approach to cognition and learning is highly responsive to individual needs. Lessons are designed in short, engaging segments to maintain focus and engagement. We incorporate movement and sensory breaks to aid concentration and sustain energy, and our teaching is structured around clear, concise instructions followed by directed tasks. This flexible learning model enables children to progress at their own pace and within their own comfort zone while still accessing the curriculum.
Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
We recognise the importance of a safe and supportive emotional environment. With two Thrive practitioners on staff, we offer Thrive sessions to support the development of emotional literacy and regulation. Staff are trained in Zones of Regulation and DESTY, empowering children to identify and understand their feelings and develop coping strategies. By prioritising relationship-building through approaches such as PACE, we help children develop trust and feel secure, supporting their social and emotional growth and readiness to learn.
Sensory and/or Physical Needs
Our model incorporates movement and sensory breaks to meet sensory needs, recognising that children benefit from physical engagement to maintain focus. Small class sizes allow us to closely monitor each child’s sensory needs and adjust support as necessary. This approach emphasises individualised support, relationship-based learning, and a structured yet flexible environment where children can build confidence, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.
SEND Information
SEND stands for special needs and disability. A child or young person aged from 0 to 25 years old is said to have special educational needs or a disability if they have a learning difficulty or disability which makes it much harder for them to learn than the majority of other pupils of the same age.
There are four categories of SEND:
- Communication and interaction
- Cognition and learning
- Social, emotional, and health difficulties
- Sensory and/or physical needs
Please refer to our SEND policy to see how our school will support and make provision for pupils with special educational needs and disability.
Pupil Premium
The Pupil Premium scheme aims to provide extra funding to provide additional support for children who are faced with certain challenges. Its objective is to help schools unlock the learning potential of their pupils and provide them with a better education. It also aspires to narrow the gap in educational development between children of underprivileged backgrounds and their peers.
The Stables Independent School values this funding and uses it to provide extra-curricular activities, specialist resources and fund events aimed at increasing our pupils’ engagement and achievement.