I am very proud and privileged to be the headteacher of Ellern Mede School. Ellern Mede School has two sites in which we provide high quality and personalised education: Ellern Mede Ridgeway Site and Ellern Mede Orange Tree site.

Ellern Mede Ridgeway site is the original school site and is a hospital school for pupils aged 8 – 18. Here, we provide education for young people who are inpatients at Ellern Mede Ridgeway & Barnet Eating Disorders Hospital. Most often our students are on a dual roll and are with us until they are discharged and can reintegrate into their ‘home school’.

We provide an exceptional personalised education so that all pupils can achieve educational outcomes, and feel valued, nurtured and respected during their time with us. We have been rated ‘outstanding’ over four consecutive OFSTED inspections, the last inspection being in February 2024.

We understand that whilst a young person is in hospital away from their home it is a very difficult time. As part of the multidisciplinary team, we work in partnership with medical professionals, families and teaching staff to put in place the best educational support for the young person. This also includes consistent and strong links with the ‘home school’ to ensure that the young person has a smooth and successful reintegration when they leave us. We put a tremendous amount of work into this process.

The Orange Tree Site is for students aged 11 to 18 who will thrive in a small, therapeutic and nurturing environment.

Our outstanding staff supports our students by providing specialised and tailored education and care to pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and those without. Our school provides inspiring teaching that meets their learning needs and enables them to find and fulfil their potential for students who may have found mainstream education too overwhelming.

We believe every child is unique and pride ourselves in delivering bespoke education and care that embraces the individual’s needs, aspirations and supports school attendance. Alongside education, we provide a range of activities and therapies including equine therapy, forest school and skiing. We are also lucky enough to have a regular visit from our therapy dog. We are also have a school counsellor, speech and language therapist and occupational therapist as part of our staff team.

Orange Tree School, we offer year-round admissions so that – regardless of the time of year – all of them will find a safe, warm, and supportive atmosphere here at Orange Tree School. 

We are extremely proud of our schools and all the young people who go through it.

Zoe Ramshaw
Head Teacher