Welcome to the Orchard
Liberty Primary School's Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP)
The Orchard is Liberty Primary School's specialist provision for children with autism and social communication needs. We provide a nurturing, structured and inclusive learning environment where children are supported to develop their communication, independence and confidence, while making meaningful progress in their learning.
As part of Liberty Primary School, our children benefit from specialist teaching alongside opportunities to participate in the wider school community. Our aim is for every child to belong, achieve and thrive.
Our Classes
The Orchard has 30 commissioned places for children from Reception to Year 6, organised into four mixed-age classes:
- Willow – Early Years
- Beech – Years 1 and 2
- Juniper – Years 3 and 4
- Sycamore – Years 5 and 6
Each class provides a structured learning environment with a class teacher and teaching assistants. Our classrooms and learning spaces are designed to support communication, sensory regulation, engagement and independence.
Teaching and Curriculum
Our curriculum is ambitious, engaging and carefully adapted to meet children's individual developmental needs and starting points.
Children access learning drawn from the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum, with teaching broken down into achievable steps. We place particular emphasis on developing communication, early literacy, mathematics, personal development and independence.
We use a range of approaches, including Attention Autism, structured teaching, visual supports and practical learning experiences, to make learning accessible and meaningful.
Children's progress is assessed using small-step assessment frameworks, including BSquared, alongside their individual EHCP outcomes. This allows us to recognise achievements, identify next steps and ensure that learning continues to provide appropriate challenge.
Inclusion and Independence
The Orchard is an integral part of Liberty Primary School. We believe that every child should feel a sense of belonging to the wider school community.
Children have opportunities to participate in mainstream lessons, assemblies, playtimes, educational visits and other school activities, according to their individual strengths, needs and readiness.
Our Access to Mainstream Policy supports staff in planning and reviewing these opportunities so that participation is purposeful, successful and builds confidence, relationships and independence.
Specialist Support
We work closely with a range of professionals to ensure children receive coordinated support.
Our provision includes input from Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists, alongside advice from Educational Psychologists and other specialist professionals where appropriate.
Therapy recommendations and individual targets are incorporated into everyday teaching and learning, helping children to develop and generalise their skills across different environments.
Working with Families
We recognise that strong relationships between home and school are essential.
We work closely with parents and carers through regular communication, parent meetings, EHCP annual reviews and discussions about children's learning and development.
Our aim is to build a positive partnership in which families feel informed, involved and supported.
Admissions to The Orchard
All pupils attending The Orchard have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Admissions are managed by the London Borough of Merton's SEND Team, through its specialist ARP placement process. Places are not allocated directly by Liberty Primary School.
Admission to Liberty's mainstream school does not provide automatic access or priority admission to The Orchard.
For further information about the admissions process, please contact Merton's SEND Team.
Email: sen@merton.gov.uk
Contact Us
If you would like further information about The Orchard, please contact our ARP Lead, Mrs Welsh:
Telephone: 020 8646 5290
Email: arp@liberty.merton.sch.uk
The Orchard – Liberty Primary School
Western Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 3EB
