9 September 2025
At the 2025 Reunion a keen handful of us, with the benefit of fine weather, were taken by Jerry Evans (Secondary School) and Kevin Gore (who manages managers) for an external look at the CF Secondary School. We are grateful to them for their time in answering various questions and noting some points made on possible ways to improve access in the grounds and to entrances in case any future pupil requires a wheelchair.
Kevin had told us that Caldecott Foundation currently serves a total of 120 children, of which 60 live in the children's homes or are fostered. In contrast with the position when I was at Hatch, the CF primary and secondary schools largely have external pupils coming in each weekday during the school terms, for the provision for a wide variety of special needs etc. A few also benefit from weekly boarding in Garden House, generally arriving on a Monday of the week of term and going home on Friday, giving the family a welcome partial break. I gather that currently about 75 per cent of children at the CF homes attend CF schooling, with the other 25 per cent going to local schools or alternative provision.
We passed by the primary school premises (largely based on what had been the old Oaklea unit, much altered), looking over the fence at the covered walkway and peering in a window to glimpse part of the dining area expanded not long ago. Increase of pupil numbers has resulted in a need to build a new classroom here.
The Secondary School has a number of buildings within fenced grounds to secure pupils from possible intruders. Some of the buildings (such as the sports hall) have more than one function, sometimes inconveniently, and changes are made according to varying requirements. The present play area cannot always cater for some uses that had been envisaged, as different children want incompatible uses of the space. It is a pity that the school does not have all the land here up to Hythe Road.
One small building had previously been devoted to isolation of such children as occasionally needed to be restrained, but now is for therapy. About 14 years ago some children needed such restriction on various occasions; this now is rare. Relevant staff have regular training in case of possible need, although prevention of a problem is best.
Admission of new children depends upon several criteria, including the fit with existing pupils. The local education authority must confirm that transport is provided for external children, normally living not far away but possibly getting on for one hour each way. The Government seeks to curtail the burden for local authority both of direct provision for SEN and also transport costs (which are billions for UK, even millions just for Kent).
Ideally CF would also expand in the future with two further residential units at the Smeeth site, as had been envisaged long ago, but that would depend upon several factors, including funding
The school has six children per class, in contrast with some ordinary schools which might have even up to 25 children per class. There is much enthusiasm for being taught outdoors, even if just outside the classroom or in the grounds or visiting Hatch Park or, in particular, Forest school especially at Bilsington, 10 minutes drive away. A popular option is environmental studies. Children have allotments, although not attended to outside of term time. A wide range of possibilities is needed as sometimes an activity of one sort catches children's attention but interest later passes and something else is required for them.
As written on the wall of the lobby of Caldecott House, 'the days that make you happy make you wise'.
