Who We Are

Welcome to The Place Independent School

At The Place Independent School, we provide a supportive, caring and personalised educational experience for children and young people aged 5–18 who struggle to thrive in mainstream settings due to emotional, developmental or behavioural needs since 2014.

We believe that every young person deserves the chance to learn, grow and succeed regardless of their past experiences. By combining structured learning with therapeutic and outdoor approaches, we help them build confidence, emotional insight and resilience in a setting where they feel safe, valued and understood.

Our Vision & Approach

Our mission is to:

Develop emotional insight and self-management within a learning setting

• Promote safe attachments

• Develop physical health via adventure

• Promote peer relationships and the skills to manage these successfully

• Prepare young people for future success without limits

• Utilise nature and outdoor learning to meet the learning needs of children

• Manage, re-direct, and overcome challenging behaviour in a way that promotes rather than masks individual change

This strengths-based vision guides everything we do. We focus on development, not deficit, empowering each pupil to build enduring skills for school, community and adulthood.

Where We Learn & Grow

Our school is set across two beautiful rural sites in the Vale of Belvoir. This setting benefits and supports through low-arousal environments that help pupils feel regulated and engaged.

The landscape from woodlands to farm settings, is an integral part of our approach. Outdoor learning, animal care and experiential activities are woven into the school day, helping young people connect with others, manage emotions and experience success in new ways.

The schools utilise the benefits of outdoor learning and the therapeutic support from our school animals including, alpacas, rescue ponies, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, dogs, donkeys, ducks, hamster, rabbits, cats and chickens. Sometimes we even have our Belvoir Wallabies say hello!

A Therapeutic Philosophy

Our work is rooted in attachment theory and developmental psychotherapy, meaning our relationships with children and young people emphasise Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE). These principles shape our culture and help build the trust that underpins growth and learning. We recognise that wellbeing and academic progress go hand in hand, and that a nurturing environment is essential for learning.

Leadership & Governance

The Place Independent School is part of the Edison Care and Education Ltd. group. While benefiting from the support and expertise of the wider organisation, we maintain an on-site leadership team focused on delivering high-quality education and pastoral care day to day. Our governance includes regular review by the Proprietor, educational leaders and external stakeholders, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

Growing Together

We are proud of the community we have built here, a community where learners, families and staff work together to overcome barriers and celebrate progress at every step. This reflects a common strength of independent specialist schools: close partnerships between school and home that create continuity of support.

Whether you are a prospective family seeking the right environment for your child or part of our school community already, we invite you to explore more about our ethos, curriculum and therapeutic approaches.

Contact & Next Steps

To learn more, arrange a visit or request a prospectus, please visit our Contact Us page or get in touch with our team directly.

Welcome from the Senior Team.

Below, the Senior Team across all sites at TPIS welcome you to our school.

Amy (Head of Bottesford):

amyr@theplaceindependentschool.co.uk

Jenny (Head of Inclusion):

jenny@theplaceindependentschool.co.uk

Hello, I’m Jenny, the Head of Inclusion at The Place Independent School. I have dedicated over 20 years to supporting children and young people with additional needs, working as a SENCo and Head of Inclusion at both school and trust level across mainstream and specialist settings. This breadth of experience has shaped my passion for creating inclusive environments where every young person feels understood, valued and able to succeed.

At The Place Independent School, we place the needs of each young person firmly at the centre of everything we do. I am committed to ensuring that every learner receives the personalised support they need to thrive — academically, socially and emotionally. Through close collaboration with families, staff and external professionals, we develop bespoke therapeutic packages that break down barriers to learning and build confidence, resilience and independence.

My goal is to help our young people feel safe, empowered and ready for the wider world beyond school, equipped not only with qualifications but with the life skills and self-belief to shape their own futures. I am proud to be part of a community that champions individuality, celebrates progress and nurtures potential every day.

Lizzi (Head of Barkestone):

lizzi@theplaceindependentschool.co.uk

Hi, I’m Lizzi, Head of College at our secondary site. I’ve been part of this College community for six years and love helping students grow, succeed, and enjoy learning. Our hands-on lessons let students explore their talents—maybe you’ll be the next Dr. Dolittle, Bob the Builder, a winning Make-Up Artist, or even the new Banksy! Alongside GCSEs, BTECs, and functional skills, we help students build confidence, embrace challenges, and leave ready for a bright future.