Orchard Lodge and Bay Tree Lodge – Specialist Resource Bases at St Mark’s School
Orchard Lodge is a specialist resource base for students with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), while Bay Tree Lodge is a provision for pupils with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). All students across both provisions have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
At both Orchard Lodge and Bay Tree Lodge, pupils are taught by a specialist teachers & supported by a team of Teaching Assistants, ensuring a high level of personalised support.
The provisions provide pupils with a mix of teaching in the resource bases in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 groups and structured opportunities for integration with the main school, including access to selected mainstream lessons, whole-school activities, and Collective Worship.
Each provision offers a supportive and structured environment tailored to meet the specific needs of its students:
- Orchard Lodge includes two classrooms, intervention rooms, and a library. There is also a kitchen where students can develop independent living and life skills.
- Bay Tree Lodge offers a calm and autism-friendly learning environment, with access to structured teaching spaces, sensory regulation areas, and additional facilities to support communication, emotional regulation, and preparation for adulthood.
The curriculum across both settings is highly personalised and carefully aligned with each student’s EHCP outcomes. Students learn in a range of settings to develop their academic, social, emotional, and independence skills, with a strong emphasis on preparation for adulthood.