Farleigh College Overview

Farleigh College Mells is a specialist residential school for young people aged 10 to 17 with Asperger's Syndrome and associated disorders. Our students often have many strengths and considerable potential but their progress may be impaired by the difficulties experienced by young people with Asperger's Syndrome. These involve difficulties in some or all of the following areas: anxiety levels, social behaviour, appropriate use and understanding of language, obsessive behaviour and interests, sensory sensitivity and motor co-ordination.

Farleigh College Mells gives young people the opportunity to meet their potential and develop the necessary academic, social and life skills for independence and further education. We offer a total environment where young people are offered a safe, secure and predictable environment in which they can come to understand their own areas of difficulties and learn skills and techniques in order to overcome them. This ensures that they are able to fulfil their potential socially, academically, physically and spiritually and enable them to rebuild their low self-esteem and self belief.

We provide:

• Educational, social and individual development programmes
• Strategies to assist with anxieties and difficulties
• Individual assessment and support to develop full academic and social potential
• Structured independence training programmes
• Leisure programmes contributing to self-confidence building
• Therapeutic programmes
• Preparation for future life

Placements are flexible and can either be on a day or residential basis, full or part time and for up to 38 weeks of the year depending on individual need. Farleigh College also supports re-integration packages back into mainstream education. All of the young people referred to the school will have a Statement of Special Educational Need. Farleigh College Mells can provide places for up to 48 pupils.

Welcome from the Principal

'My name is Sharon Edney and I am the Executive Principal for Farleigh College, Mells and North Hill House, Frome.

I commenced at North Hill House in the Year 2000 and became the Principal just over 3 years ago. I then became the Executive Principal for both schools in January 2012. I have worked in schools, residential care homes and in community projects both in this country and abroad.

Having a daughter with ASD and having fostered children with a range of disabilities I am passionate about ensuring that the services I run seek to provide the very best educational, social and therapeutic support possible.’