Pump Farm
Pump Farm is a six-bedded farmhouse set in five acres of grounds in the Suffolk village of Assington. The school is located on site and enables for provision of education and care to those with disorders on the autistic spectrum. The site provides open space, a dance studio, games room and a small farm with chickens and pigs, as well as a range of other outdoor activities.
The Care Team
The team of eleven is made up of a senior practitioner and ten Residential Care Workers who are committed to providing an environment in which the young people feel safe and secure. Positive wellbeing is encouraged by providing a varied activity timetable tailored to each individual. To help the young people develop socially and emotionally they are encouraged to participate in decision-making at house meetings that are held once fortnightly, where they can influence decisions such as menu choices or changes. Both staff and residents thoroughly enjoy the cultural evenings which are held once a month, giving everyone the opportunity of sharing in the preparation and cooking of a meal from a different country, discussing that country and its culture.
“Friends of Pump Farm are made up of a group of about eight locals who really care about Assington and the work being done at Pump Farm. We raise funds to help purchase items for the music and arts rooms and agricultural items for the farm. We get to know the students and help people in Assington get to know them too. Pump Farm is really a part of this community.”
— Jennifer, Chair of Friends of Pump Farm
What Ofsted say about Pump Farm
"Meals are varied, nutritious and prepared to a good standard. Records of meals demonstrate a varied diet is offered and take into account young people’s cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds."
"Staff ensure that young people receive specialised support and advice regarding any specific health care needs."
"Young people are protected from bullying as there are systems in place to address any incidents effectively."
"Staffing levels allow young people to receive individualised support."