Demeter House School opened in 2006 as a small family run SEND school offering a high level of care and education for vulnerable children with emotional, behavioural and associated learning difficulties, particularly students with autistic spectrum disorders.

The majority of our students had already have experienced difficulties in school, community and/or home and required individualised care and education. We offered a high staff to student ratio in a friendly and stable environment.

We have always focused on building self-esteem and positive relationships. We measure our success not just by improvements in academic ability but also in terms of social and emotional improvement. Students are encouraged to participate in setting their own challenging but realistic targets and to celebrate their achievements.

We also encourage families and carers of our students to work in partnership with us to support their children’s progress and strengthen relationships.

Demeter is the mythical god of the Earth, the Earth Mother. The story goes that when her daughter Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, Demeter stopped caring and the world started to die. The other Gods had to intervene, a plan was discussed and a compromise was reached. Spring arrived and the Earth was reborn.

This story of compromise, discussion and new beginnings seemed relevant to our establishment and the goals we aim to achieve. We hope that every child in our care will feel supported through an individualised educational programme.

In 2024, we made the decision to split our school sites and register them separately, to allow them to grow and diversify even further. Hera House is named after the goddess Hera, who was known as the ‘Mother Goddess’ and is the protector of women and children. Hestia School is named after the goddess Hestia, who was the ‘Goddess of Hearth and Home’ and protects families and homes. Hestia, Hera and Demeter are all sisters and their relationships and protections are all in keeping with our family ethos.

We want to create a community where everyone feels heard and valued, where differences and challenges are accepted and supported and where everyone is entitled to a new beginning, regardless of previous experiences. We want to give everyone the opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.

We believe in enabling young people to transition effectively into adulthood. We believe that all young people should have the opportunities to develop strategies that will equip them to manage their own challenges, lead fulfilling lives and have a good quality of life. We want our young people to leave us as respectful, aspirational and independent contributors to their wider communities.

Across our schools, we aim to:

  • Deliver high quality, aspirational curriculums that enable all our learners to fulfil their potential for academic achievement.
  • Develop our young people holistically, taking account of their wider family contexts, enabling and encouraging them to make good choices that will lead them to a better quality of life.
  • Teach our young people how to regulate their emotions, improve their own behaviour and develop a positive attitude towards themselves and others.
  • Promote high expectations and aspirations for all our young people through regular, high quality CPD for all staff, that is linked to the curriculum, and ensuring that the whole community is upholding our values.

Proprietor Contact Details (Outside term time):

Dr R S Wardlaw;

50-54, Oswald Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN15 7PQ

Tel. 07764604255