Clervaux Garden School is an innovative and exciting school. Situated on our 100 acre biodynamic farm, our holistic curriculum provides the skills, experience and context necessary for young people aged 10-19 years with complex social, emotional, behavioural, learning differences (including Autism Spectrum Conditions) and other disabilities to flourish and thrive in modern society.

At-a-glance

Co-Principal: Bogdan Bucur

Co-Principal: Allison Rice

Assistant Headteacher: Steve McIntosh

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Lyndsey Rymer

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Steve McIntosh, Bogdan Bucur, Allison Rice

Designated Attendance Lead: Lyndsey Rymer

School Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO): Lyndsey Rymer

Director of Schools: Tara Gratton

Chair of the Board of Directors: Helen Kippax

Clerk to the Board of Trustees: Solene Mosley

Proprietor: Clervaux Garden School

Age Range: 10-19

Local Authority: North Yorkshire


Quick links

Ofsted reports

Local Offer document

School policies

SEN Information Report

Get in touch

Our school is a place of therapeutic learning and growing which brings together hand, heart, head, and place to support personal development and progression. Our vision, values and educational method resonate through everything we do at Clervaux Garden School.

Our Vision

We believe that each individual has the potential to shape their own future through experiencing meaningful relationships with universe, earth and people.

Our Values

We value:

  • Inclusive learning and living activities that integrate practical activity, thinking, our emotions and mutual respect; we strive to understand all people’s differences and uniqueness.

  • The capacity for re-imagination present in all people, towards positive change and development.

  • Openness, goodwill, tolerance and treating individuals with dignity and respect.

Our Method

All pupils are taught and cared for through Ruskin Mill Trust’s research-based method, Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE).  Practically applied principles, known as the Seven Fields of Practice, underpin PSTE and guide each pupil’s journey.  These are: genius loci (spirit of place), practical skills, biodynamic ecology, therapeutic education, holistic support and care, holistic medicine and transformative leadership and management.  Through PSTE, we aim to help each individual develop their own capacity for self-generated conscious action.  Each pupil is provided with an individualised and tailored curriculum such that the practical skills they will engage with are those specifically chosen to meet their own developmental needs. 

PSTE also extends into the residential 24-hour curriculum through holistic care and support, contributing to and improving general wellbeing and health. All pupils benefit from our seed-to-table philosophy.

Find out about the Clervaux Garden School curriculum

Safeguarding at Clervaux Garden School

Clervaux Garden School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all pupils and staff and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent, effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support pupils and staff at school.

Any concerns are passed to the members of staff who are part of our school safeguarding team, led by our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Lyndsey Rymer.

The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents and carers about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents and carers. More information including our Safeguarding Policy can be found on our dedicated safeguarding page.

Tutor and pupil felting at Clervaux Garden School