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Options Trent Acres School
Primary · Special · Burton-on-Trent
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Couldn’t fulfill my needs.
They may have the title of “specialist” but they act so lazily they might aswell be mainstream nowadays. I was a student for a long time. Yet it felt like the more I went the less they understood me. They are supposed to be specialist yet they treated me so poorly. The school was good once, but nowadays it seems as though they value quantity over quality in terms of staff, students and even lessons. I was traumatised when I first left the school. Please save yourself or your child’s time if your child has complex needs. They prefer “easier” students. They couldn’t even provide me with someone who would let me outside when I had panic attacks, and that’s the bare minimum of a school FOR specialist needs. Teachers have shockingly low knowledge of autism and special needs. I have had numerous occasions of having to explain my conditions and what they mean to my own specialist teachers. I’m not the only one who has departed from this school. they really fail to keep students. Most of my school peers have also left.
Worst experience of my life
To start things off, this has probably been the worst school I have EVER attended. Promises made at the start of my time at Trent Acres were broken within weeks, many of the staff have little knowledge about how autism works and the strategies that really should've been used to keep me feeling safe and comfortable throughout a 6 hour day.
It feels like if you get on with certain teachers, your time at the school will be fine. But as soon as you don't get on with 'certain' teachers it's like you get forgotten about and they don't want to know. SLT seems to be extremely defensive, wanting the child out the equation should anything be brought up they don't like.
I believe many of the teachers at Trent Acres are not aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. I have come out of Trent Acres in a worse condition than I went in with. I think it's quite risky to send your child to Trent Acres if they have complex needs.
It feels like if you get on with certain teachers, your time at the school will be fine. But as soon as you don't get on with 'certain' teachers it's like you get forgotten about and they don't want to know. SLT seems to be extremely defensive, wanting the child out the equation should anything be brought up they don't like.
I believe many of the teachers at Trent Acres are not aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. I have come out of Trent Acres in a worse condition than I went in with. I think it's quite risky to send your child to Trent Acres if they have complex needs.
Happy
My child is happy, so I’m happy.
I am really pleased with the school. They have been helpful to my child and they have have him to settle in.
Nothing is too much trouble.
I am really pleased with the school. They have been helpful to my child and they have have him to settle in.
Nothing is too much trouble.
I do not recommend
There is a huge lack of communication from school. Concerns raised are ignored. I do not recommend.
Terrible
They’ve continued taking more and more pupils when the staff numbers haven’t improved meaning the children already here are now put on the back burner and evidently struggling.
( to many cooks spoil the broth) this is what’s happening here not enough time or staff to help the children already here let alone taking on more and more.
Capacity for 100 pupils and current at 85 I absolutely dread when it reaches 100 because it’s just declining daily as it is.
Safeguarding is a huge issue children escaping , been attacked verbally and physically by other pupils while staff do very little.
I’m not going to sit here writing this review and lie because I’m extremely saddened at how this placement has now turned out. My child used to love coming here and now I can’t get them in.
They just hate it , staff aren’t helpful in helping in any way to aid my child going in and I’m often left sat in the car with a stressed child refusing to go in.
I want change I don’t want to bad mouth anyone but I want the school I was promised I want my child to attend and be happy. I just want everything we were promised. That’s all.
I believe you need to hear this and I hope the school can see this and act on it because after all these kids have been through enough.
Life’s hard enough for people let alone a person with autism or sen. The school has so much potential , I’m at the point of begging for change and I doubt it will ever happen as companies like this want the money and nothing more. I have no doubt the staff have good intentions for these kids however they do what they’re told and won’t ever speak out against the school. A high turnover of staff I believe proves they see what goes on and then decide not to want to be a part of it which is completely understandable.
Id love to see this school improve so that many can give (genuine) positive reviews however only time will tell.
( to many cooks spoil the broth) this is what’s happening here not enough time or staff to help the children already here let alone taking on more and more.
Capacity for 100 pupils and current at 85 I absolutely dread when it reaches 100 because it’s just declining daily as it is.
Safeguarding is a huge issue children escaping , been attacked verbally and physically by other pupils while staff do very little.
I’m not going to sit here writing this review and lie because I’m extremely saddened at how this placement has now turned out. My child used to love coming here and now I can’t get them in.
They just hate it , staff aren’t helpful in helping in any way to aid my child going in and I’m often left sat in the car with a stressed child refusing to go in.
I want change I don’t want to bad mouth anyone but I want the school I was promised I want my child to attend and be happy. I just want everything we were promised. That’s all.
I believe you need to hear this and I hope the school can see this and act on it because after all these kids have been through enough.
Life’s hard enough for people let alone a person with autism or sen. The school has so much potential , I’m at the point of begging for change and I doubt it will ever happen as companies like this want the money and nothing more. I have no doubt the staff have good intentions for these kids however they do what they’re told and won’t ever speak out against the school. A high turnover of staff I believe proves they see what goes on and then decide not to want to be a part of it which is completely understandable.
Id love to see this school improve so that many can give (genuine) positive reviews however only time will tell.
10/10 Brilliant
100% brilliance, love this school! Our child adores it here, more so than any other school they have attended.
Upsetting
My child left daily either been bullied or threatened by other students no discipline put in place so children do what they want even if that means attacking other pupils. And we aren’t talking little tittle tattle we are talking extreme physical violence which results in your child having marks, scratches or bruises. Kids seem to run haywire and do what they please doesn’t appear to ever be any consequences or efforts to stop incidents escalating. Staff just stand and watch and say don’t do that or ignore, when your child complains to staff they just ignore the child complaining.
Improvement Required
I have held off doing a review to this point, as I am still trying to work with school to increase my child’s attendance, but having seen the huge array of quite ridiculous and unfair and unwarranted positive reviews, that I understand have only been added to discredit the negative reviews left by a number of extremely upset and concerned parents, I feel that I have to share my honest views.
I don’t believe that the school is horrendous - it has so much potential and my child used to be happy, but sadly there are not enough staff available now to support the children who attend. Children are screaming out unmet needs and display these challenging behaviours regularly. The school is currently disorganised and the communication is poor. They seem to be fighting fires rather than making positive change to improve things for the children that need a calm environment, structure and consistency . I’m sure that most of the staff have really good intentions, but the expansion has not been managed well and this has had a very detrimental impact on the children and staff. The school used to be smaller and calmer but the way things are now are very concerning. How other parents can refer to the options of concerned parents as ridiculous is beyond me. I thought it was an unwritten law that SEND parents support each other. My child has changed class twice since September and had 2 different classrooms and was supposed to be in a new classroom after the Xmas break but that has been delayed again… this is no good for children with autism. They deserve so much more.
I don’t believe that the school is horrendous - it has so much potential and my child used to be happy, but sadly there are not enough staff available now to support the children who attend. Children are screaming out unmet needs and display these challenging behaviours regularly. The school is currently disorganised and the communication is poor. They seem to be fighting fires rather than making positive change to improve things for the children that need a calm environment, structure and consistency . I’m sure that most of the staff have really good intentions, but the expansion has not been managed well and this has had a very detrimental impact on the children and staff. The school used to be smaller and calmer but the way things are now are very concerning. How other parents can refer to the options of concerned parents as ridiculous is beyond me. I thought it was an unwritten law that SEND parents support each other. My child has changed class twice since September and had 2 different classrooms and was supposed to be in a new classroom after the Xmas break but that has been delayed again… this is no good for children with autism. They deserve so much more.
Let down.
Terrible experience, lack of appropriate staff qualified to deal with sen children.
My child has now left the school however this isn’t the outcome I had hoped for after battling for so long.
Broken promises and shattered dreams for me and my child, I was truly sold the dream story when we initially looked round this school, promised everything and nothing ever came of it.
Many issues happened within school and now it appears many positive reviews have suddenly been posted within a quick succession making me feel it’s simply to cover one’s back and boost the ratings.
Overall suspicious activity, I have come and left my review in hope it could shed some light on my personal experience of this school and hopefully to improve the outcomes for other children that may be here and struggling with what I experienced.
Negative reviews are left to show the truth why would any parent bother if they had been happy with the outcome.
I also decided to leave this review as I noticed the bad ones and wanted to voice my opinion openly and I have to say everything I have read has been true and what we experienced whilst at Trent acres.
If the slightest chance that the positive reviews are true then this is something that many unfortunately haven’t experienced so my question would be why let down some children and not others.
Lack of appropriate safeguarding also is an issue here and I do believe something bad will happen if things aren’t changed. I think this company and SLT at Trent acres shouldn’t be trying to suddenly back things up or hide the truth but perhaps take these genuine negative reviews and work on them to make the future lives of current children attending better after all this is what these review platforms are for. I wish I could sit here and praise this school but honestly I can’t find one positive thing to say. Extensive research into this company and it’s become clear what this is all about. Do some research a simple Google search brings up a lot.
I hope this review helps and sheds some light into the school. And I hope options group and Trent acres can buck their ideas up and work towards the school they have openly promised to many desperate families and children.
My child has now left the school however this isn’t the outcome I had hoped for after battling for so long.
Broken promises and shattered dreams for me and my child, I was truly sold the dream story when we initially looked round this school, promised everything and nothing ever came of it.
Many issues happened within school and now it appears many positive reviews have suddenly been posted within a quick succession making me feel it’s simply to cover one’s back and boost the ratings.
Overall suspicious activity, I have come and left my review in hope it could shed some light on my personal experience of this school and hopefully to improve the outcomes for other children that may be here and struggling with what I experienced.
Negative reviews are left to show the truth why would any parent bother if they had been happy with the outcome.
I also decided to leave this review as I noticed the bad ones and wanted to voice my opinion openly and I have to say everything I have read has been true and what we experienced whilst at Trent acres.
If the slightest chance that the positive reviews are true then this is something that many unfortunately haven’t experienced so my question would be why let down some children and not others.
Lack of appropriate safeguarding also is an issue here and I do believe something bad will happen if things aren’t changed. I think this company and SLT at Trent acres shouldn’t be trying to suddenly back things up or hide the truth but perhaps take these genuine negative reviews and work on them to make the future lives of current children attending better after all this is what these review platforms are for. I wish I could sit here and praise this school but honestly I can’t find one positive thing to say. Extensive research into this company and it’s become clear what this is all about. Do some research a simple Google search brings up a lot.
I hope this review helps and sheds some light into the school. And I hope options group and Trent acres can buck their ideas up and work towards the school they have openly promised to many desperate families and children.
Please do not believe all the negativity.
After reading some of the (ridiculous) reviews on here, I have decided as a parent to write my own.
I can say truthfully that my daughters and my current experience with Trent Acres is professional, respectful and caring.
Everyone is entitled to their views and opinions, however I do feel some reviews for this school are a little bit unfair and not warranted.
There have been many times the school has gone beyond the call of duty for my daughter to make her feel welcome, comfortable and accomplish. While at the same time making sure her education isn't affected.
I can say truthfully that my daughters and my current experience with Trent Acres is professional, respectful and caring.
Everyone is entitled to their views and opinions, however I do feel some reviews for this school are a little bit unfair and not warranted.
There have been many times the school has gone beyond the call of duty for my daughter to make her feel welcome, comfortable and accomplish. While at the same time making sure her education isn't affected.
Do not believe all the negativity.
After reading some of the (ridiculous) reviews on here, I have decided as a parent to write my own.
I can say truthfully that my daughters and my current experience with Trent Acres is professional, respectful and caring.
Everyone is entitled to their views and opinions, however I do feel some reviews for this school are a little bit unfair and not warranted.
There have been many times the school has gone beyond the call of duty for my daughter to make her feel welcome, comfortable and accomplish. While at the same time making sure her education isn't affected.
I can say truthfully that my daughters and my current experience with Trent Acres is professional, respectful and caring.
Everyone is entitled to their views and opinions, however I do feel some reviews for this school are a little bit unfair and not warranted.
There have been many times the school has gone beyond the call of duty for my daughter to make her feel welcome, comfortable and accomplish. While at the same time making sure her education isn't affected.
Marvelous Teaching Staff
This school has amazing staff, they seem to learn about the children and always go the extra mile!
The opportunities for young people here are brilliant, always seems to be something going on for the children to take part in.
My eldest adores going to the school, they love food tech and the teacher. Alway bringing great food back for us to try.
Keep up the great work and thank you.
The opportunities for young people here are brilliant, always seems to be something going on for the children to take part in.
My eldest adores going to the school, they love food tech and the teacher. Alway bringing great food back for us to try.
Keep up the great work and thank you.
Fantastic Autism School
Brilliant school that is grow and developing. My son loves it here and I hear the same off others.
They treat each and everyone as equals, but also treat each child as there own person.
I honestly couldn't be happier sending my child here, nor could my son. 👍
They treat each and everyone as equals, but also treat each child as there own person.
I honestly couldn't be happier sending my child here, nor could my son. 👍
Terrible
From one special school with problems, to another. Total chaos. Broken child. Terrible management. Thought we’d found the right place for our son. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Eotas seems the only way forward.
Utterly disappointing
So disappointed. So much potential but it’s all a show. Empty promises. Basic autistic friendly strategies not in place, yet the slt wonder why the children are at breaking point and kicking off and trashing the place.
Grateful mum
I can not express how grateful I am to Options Trent Acres School. The amount of care and understanding they have shown my son. He has come on leaps and bounds with his English and Maths. Thank you
Disappointing and abuse of trust
A disappointing school. Talks the talk, but fails to deliver.
Unfortunately the experience with this school has been very concerning. Talking about experiences is difficult, trust with the school and some parents is difficult.
The school have made some aware that private conversations between parents have been screenshot and sent into the school. Completely inappropriate and goes “above and beyond” any reasonable behaviour expected. Those involved must be getting some reward for abusing parents trust. After all the fighting with services for years and then with the LA to get a school that is advertised to help specifically with SEN children, it’s very disappointing.
There have been many complaints regarding the provision and behaviour from this school.
Unfortunately the experience with this school has been very concerning. Talking about experiences is difficult, trust with the school and some parents is difficult.
The school have made some aware that private conversations between parents have been screenshot and sent into the school. Completely inappropriate and goes “above and beyond” any reasonable behaviour expected. Those involved must be getting some reward for abusing parents trust. After all the fighting with services for years and then with the LA to get a school that is advertised to help specifically with SEN children, it’s very disappointing.
There have been many complaints regarding the provision and behaviour from this school.
Personalised plans
Everything is so personalised. If something isn’t working, this school does its upmost to change it. My daughter goes every day and loves it.
The setting is just beautiful and the animals help so much and calm anxiety. Always someone to talk to if you need to.
The setting is just beautiful and the animals help so much and calm anxiety. Always someone to talk to if you need to.
Best experience
My child attended 3 schools before this one. These people are so committed to the children they support. My child has never been so settled. The support for families is remarkable. Just received a hamper over Christmas due to illness in the family. We were blown away by the kindness.
Thank you - happy child
This school has gone above and beyond for my child.
From a child who would not go to school to one who cannot wait to attend
We won the lottery with this placement!
From a child who would not go to school to one who cannot wait to attend
We won the lottery with this placement!
Avoid this company and this particular school.
Very troubled school.
High turnover of staff. Qualifications are questionable. Restraint policy is not followed.
Lack of staff resulting in children’s needs being unmet and situations becoming unmanageable and unsafe.
Low morale of staff which results in competitiveness in front of the children.
Parents that share their concerns are talked about in front of children which then makes them feel uncomfortable and puts pressure on parents to keep quiet.
Staff are stretched which means that staff are not always able to be where the should and teach subjects. The environment is supposed to be low arousal and whilst it’s understood it can’t always be a 100% guarantee all the time it never meets it even 1% of the time.
Children and parents are ignored and seen as cash cows for the big equity firms behind the privatisation of care and services for children with additional needs. LA are aware but rely on the privatisation of these services that have taken over many areas of SEN education and social care services.
Parents are singled out if they speak out about experiences and it limits the number of parents that are willing to speak out against this company in fear of repercussions.
Avoid this company and this school!
****Updated****
I am surprised to see that 2 reviews have been recently removed about this school?
I would love to know why?
Has this review platform now become censored and susceptible to pressure?
Also to parents that use the reviews to inform them about a particular school… take notice of all the reviews, look at what parents say and read between the lines. Look at how the statistics are presented. The same disproportional distribution is seen on the staff reviews from the company that runs this school. The positives are just too positive. Many parents are drawn to leave reviews when there are issues and concerns that are ignored. Look up the schools ran by the same company…. Also dig further and read about the many holding companies and at the top the equity company that is in control of them all.
Do your research. The connected companies have been under investigation which is easily available online to read about. See the care homes scandals and fostering services.
High turnover of staff. Qualifications are questionable. Restraint policy is not followed.
Lack of staff resulting in children’s needs being unmet and situations becoming unmanageable and unsafe.
Low morale of staff which results in competitiveness in front of the children.
Parents that share their concerns are talked about in front of children which then makes them feel uncomfortable and puts pressure on parents to keep quiet.
Staff are stretched which means that staff are not always able to be where the should and teach subjects. The environment is supposed to be low arousal and whilst it’s understood it can’t always be a 100% guarantee all the time it never meets it even 1% of the time.
Children and parents are ignored and seen as cash cows for the big equity firms behind the privatisation of care and services for children with additional needs. LA are aware but rely on the privatisation of these services that have taken over many areas of SEN education and social care services.
Parents are singled out if they speak out about experiences and it limits the number of parents that are willing to speak out against this company in fear of repercussions.
Avoid this company and this school!
****Updated****
I am surprised to see that 2 reviews have been recently removed about this school?
I would love to know why?
Has this review platform now become censored and susceptible to pressure?
Also to parents that use the reviews to inform them about a particular school… take notice of all the reviews, look at what parents say and read between the lines. Look at how the statistics are presented. The same disproportional distribution is seen on the staff reviews from the company that runs this school. The positives are just too positive. Many parents are drawn to leave reviews when there are issues and concerns that are ignored. Look up the schools ran by the same company…. Also dig further and read about the many holding companies and at the top the equity company that is in control of them all.
Do your research. The connected companies have been under investigation which is easily available online to read about. See the care homes scandals and fostering services.
Avoid
Please please avoid.
Don’t believe the promises
Disorganised and defensive SLT, no communication and no autism awareness. Should be closed down.
Terrible experience
What can I say.
The school could be amazing as it has potential if run better. Beautiful setting driving down you see the animals and think wow. However the animals are purely there to draw people in and nothing more. My child left here after becoming so unhappy along with many many other problems that I believe are still on going.
Really clicky SLT and they don’t seem to want anyone complaining and raising their concerns. Overall I’ve been let down and so has my child, I feel saddened by the situation I now face as a parent.
I hope this company can sort themselves out and correct their problems but I just don’t think it will ever happen now or in the near future.
If you want you child to be unhappy then this is the school for you if not then move on - swiftly.
The school could be amazing as it has potential if run better. Beautiful setting driving down you see the animals and think wow. However the animals are purely there to draw people in and nothing more. My child left here after becoming so unhappy along with many many other problems that I believe are still on going.
Really clicky SLT and they don’t seem to want anyone complaining and raising their concerns. Overall I’ve been let down and so has my child, I feel saddened by the situation I now face as a parent.
I hope this company can sort themselves out and correct their problems but I just don’t think it will ever happen now or in the near future.
If you want you child to be unhappy then this is the school for you if not then move on - swiftly.
Mismanaged and needs unmet.
Unfortunately the school has a high turnaround of staff. The staff seem incapable of dealing with situations and are led by a very disorganised SLT. Look at the staff reviews on indeed! You hope that they are just disgruntled ex staff, when in reality what the real negative reviews state are exactly as described.
Expansion of the school has been too quick and mismanaged. Lack of appropriate staff to ensure the safety of the children there is an accident waiting to happen.
SLT are very against parents talking about the school and experiences of their children at the school.
They demand control of parental support groups so they can keep a watchful eye and rely on desperate parents to pass back information from other concerned parents to the school directly to remain or regain control.
Many complaints have been made about this particular school. Finding information beforehand is difficult as it’s seen as the school of dreams for SEN children, unfortunately it’s far from that, many will refrain from talking openly about issues and so it’s very difficult to get a true perspective until people talk or you experience the chaos personally .
Expansion of the school has been too quick and mismanaged. Lack of appropriate staff to ensure the safety of the children there is an accident waiting to happen.
SLT are very against parents talking about the school and experiences of their children at the school.
They demand control of parental support groups so they can keep a watchful eye and rely on desperate parents to pass back information from other concerned parents to the school directly to remain or regain control.
Many complaints have been made about this particular school. Finding information beforehand is difficult as it’s seen as the school of dreams for SEN children, unfortunately it’s far from that, many will refrain from talking openly about issues and so it’s very difficult to get a true perspective until people talk or you experience the chaos personally .
A fantastic school!
A fantastic school for autistic young people.
Brilliant facilities and beautiful grounds.
Staff are dedicated and excellent and their jobs!
Brilliant facilities and beautiful grounds.
Staff are dedicated and excellent and their jobs!
Lovely little school
Lovely little school. Staff are helpful and friendly and the children love coming to school.
Lots of animals and horse riding too!
Lots of animals and horse riding too!
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