At Spring Hill we pride ourselves on offering a warm, nurturing and welcoming environment to our young people and their families.
Meet John Curtis - Residential Home Manager (The Acorns) at Cambian Spring Hill School. John gives us an insight into the wonderful spaces and facilities available for residential students.
Our Residential Cottages – A Safe, Nurturing Home From Home
Recent Ofsted inspections praised the exceptionally high standard of care and support provided in our two residential cottages, The Acorns and The Beeches. Set within the peaceful, beautifully landscaped grounds of Spring Hill School, each home offers a spacious, welcoming environment where young people can relax, play and thrive.
The rural setting gives our children the freedom to explore, enjoy outdoor activities and experience the calm and tranquillity that only nature can provide.
Inside, each cottage is thoughtfully designed to feel like a true family home, safe, comfortable and genuinely happy. All bedrooms are en-suite and furnished to a high standard, offering privacy, comfort and a strong sense of belonging. We encourage every young person to personalise their bedroom with their chosen colours, soft furnishings, pictures, ornaments and treasured belongings, helping them create a space that feels uniquely theirs.
Each young person also has access to their own dedicated “hobby room”—a private area where they can immerse themselves in activities they love, such as art, craft or music. For those who want additional privacy, we can also provide a key to their bedroom.
Both cottages are equipped with everything you would expect in a modern family home, including:
- Spacious living and dining areas
- Fully equipped, contemporary kitchens
- Utility rooms with washing machines and dryers
- Comfortable communal spaces for socialising and relaxation
We believe that our young people should play an active role in shaping their home life. Their views and opinions are valued in all aspects of planning and daily routines. They are encouraged to take part in everyday household tasks such as meal planning, shopping, preparing food, tidying their bedroom, setting the table and managing light laundry tasks, building confidence, independence and key life skills.
Our dedicated on‑site Estates Team ensures that every area is well maintained, safe and welcoming for both young people and staff, giving families complete peace of mind.
Supporting Safe Risk‑Taking & Decision‑Making
A vital part of our care is helping young people build the skills and confidence they need to make positive, informed choices both now and in the future. Staff work closely with each young person to help them understand risk, consider consequences and develop the ability to make safe, responsible decisions, whether they are in the cottages, out in the community, or preparing for adulthood.
We focus on:
- Gradual and supported exposure to new experiences, helping young people learn how to assess situations safely
- Modelling and coaching safe decision-making, including how to seek help, plan ahead and recognise potential risks
- Building confidence in community settings, from using public transport to shopping independently or meeting peers
- Helping young people understand personal boundaries, safety and wellbeing
- Supporting independence at an appropriate pace, ensuring each young person feels secure as they gain new freedoms
As they grow and mature, young people are guided to take increasing responsibility for their choices, their routines and their future pathways. This structured, supportive approach ensures that when they leave us, whether for further education, employment or another living arrangement, they have the knowledge, resilience and independence needed to navigate the next stage of their journey into adulthood.
