Testimonials

“Everything at Calder Lodge is exceptionally well organised, planned & incredibly well thought out. The transport service is incredible…… We have always been so impressed at how meticulously planned & efficient the transport is.

When you have home & school working together on the same page, the difference is absolutely breath taking.

To see the faces, beaming as they arrive home each day, is absolutely priceless. I love hearing about what (they) have both been upto each day, such as all of the wonderful extra curricular activities they both get involved in. (They) both love going swimming, their PE lessons, gardening, woodwork and ‘girls group’.

To know that (they) are both now receiving consistent, specialist & exceptional support is absolutely incredible & is all we have ever wanted and tried for many years to achieve. To see (them) grow more & more in confidence & self esteem is absolutely magical.

I honestly cannot speak highly enough of Calder Lodge school. I don’t feel I can articulate adequately, how completely transformative & utterly life changing your school has been… For the first time in many years, we can all fully relax in an evening & on a weekend & just enjoy family life.”

Parent email December 2024

“Calder Lodge and the staff have completely changed my child not only in education but also at home. He is calmer, more settled, sleeping better and he now looks forward to going to school. I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for my son in the short time he has been there and I look forward to seeing more changes and improvement in my child’s learning and behaviour when he returns in September.”

Parent Survey 2020

“I like that the teachers are all really kind.”

Pupil comment Summer 2020.

“Excellent school! This is evident in the effective communication we receive from the school, *******’s progress in education, his improved behaviour, and his personal development is outstanding. Calder Lodge is very impressive in all areas.”

Parent Survey 2021

“I like the work. I feel calm. I have made friends.”

Pupil comment Autumn 2023.

“We are extremely happy with the school”

Parent Survey 2022

“Made me enjoy learning again….”

Pupil comment Autumn 2023.

“Since my boy has been at Calder lodge he has improved massively with all aspects of learning, best decision I ever made was this school”

Parent Survey 2023.

“The school has brought my son on leaps and bounds, his reading and writing has come on so well.” 

Parent comment 2023

I wanted to send this email to say how grateful I am that ***** attends Calder Lodge and what a positive impact it has already made for him. ****** joined Calder Lodge school on the 21st September 23 after being out of education since January 23. With his needs not being met in mainstream which then led to a very negative view of school life, I was nervous for him to start with yourselves. I needn’t have worried at all as ****** has now changed from the boy who “hated school” to now asking if he can attend school at weekends and holidays!
****** was welcomed into school by all the fantastic staff and for the first Time has even made a little best friend! He openly talks about his school day with enthusiasm which includes the staff who have worked with him on that day. This ranges from playing the ukulele, building train tracks to using a saw and swimming! He is especially thrilled to be able to play football with the bigger children as he has a love of all sports! The staff have also recognised how gifted he is in this area and was able to signpost me to an SEN football club at weekends which he now enjoys and I wouldn’t have known existed without their input.

Parent email Autumn 2023.

What’s good about Calder Lodge?

I like swimming. I like the food. I like only 8 in my class. I understand my work. I like my keyworkers. I get rewarded for good behaviour.

Calder Lodge has changed me because…….

I stay in class. I do more work. I try more food. My behaviour is better.

Pupil survey Autumn 2023.

Before attending Calder Lodge, ******** was struggling to cope in mainstream schooling where they were unable to meet her specific needs. This resulted in ******** feeling very anxious and upset to go to school, she struggled with emotional regulation resulting in many meltdowns and negative behaviours both in school and at home. ******** would have to be removed from class on a daily basis and sometimes would have to be removed from school. This had a negative impact on her access to learning and so no progress was being made. 

Since attending Calder Lodge, ******** settled pretty quickly and over time meltdowns and negative behaviours became less frequent, to pretty much non-existent at home, she was able to form strong bonds with her teachers and has learnt over time how to manage her emotions. She is so much happier within herself and her self confidence soars. Learning progress is slow due to her cognitive delays and difficulties, but there is now progress as she has full access to learning. One thing that stands out to me is her progress with reading, she is doing fantastic with this!

Overall removing ******** from mainstream schooling and attending Calder Lodge has been the best decision made for ********, the school has had a massive positive impact on her. 

Parent email Autumn 2020.

“I can talk more about my feelings to my keyworker at this school”

Pupil survey Autumn 2023.

Our experience of Calder Lodge has been exceptional. The teachers are truly invested in my child’s education and his personal growth. Adjustments are made as needed to meet the needs of my child. Small class sizes and levelled learning have enabled my child to gain confidence in his learning abilities.

Though Calder Lodge is a small school, it allows for a lower student to teacher ratio, giving children more confidence when asking questions, engage in group activities, and opportunities for one-on-one time with the teachers.

Parent contact is crucial, the school ensures through various methods that we are kept informed of our child’s progress, through telephone calls, parent teacher meetings, half termly reports and by the driver who collects and returns our child home from the school (who is also a member of the school teaching team.)  

Long term parent response Autumn 2023.