New Leaf Centre - Penrith

25/08/2025

🌿 At New Leaf, we believe in celebrating neurodivergent voices and lived experience. Michaela’s words beautifully capture why Autistic-led theory and understanding matter, for our children, our families, and our future. 💚

Thank you Michaela for sharing your journey, and to Miah for the wonderful artwork that speaks louder than words. 🎨❤️

Being a SEND mum has opened my eyes to just how much the world still gets wrong about autism.

So many of the old, outdated ideas still sit in the background of schools, services, and everyday conversations. Those theories – the ones that blamed parents or treated autism as something broken that needed fixing – are still echoing today, and they do real harm to our children.

What makes the difference is when we turn to Autistic-led theory.

Things like monotropism, the double empathy problem, masking, sensory differences, burnout,these aren’t abstract ideas, they are lived experiences.

They explain my children better than any textbook or professional ever has. They make sense of the highs and the lows, of the way my girls can shine in one area and completely shut down in another.

Intersectionality matters too. My children aren’t just “Autistic”, they’re whole people with layers of identity, needs, and strengths. Their experiences are shaped by so many different parts of who they are, and when professionals overlook that, they miss the real picture.

I see the spiky profiles and fluctuating energy every single day.
One moment they can amaze me with their maths or art skills, and the next they’re wiped out by the noise of the world.

Things like interoception and alexithymia mean that sometimes even understanding their own feelings or needs can be exhausting. These things are not flaws – they’re part of who they are – but without understanding, they get labelled unfairly.

And then there are the co-occurring conditions: ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety. Our kids don’t fit into neat little boxes, no matter how much the system wants them to. They are complex, diverse, and multidimensional – and that should be celebrated, not seen as a problem to manage.

The hardest part, though, is the power imbalance.
Time and time again, I’ve seen the blame fall on parents while the real barriers – inaccessible environments, lack of training, inflexible systems- are ignored.

It is draining, and it chips away at families. Our children deserve better than that.

That’s why Autistic voices have to be at the centre. “Nothing about us without us” isn’t just a nice phrase - it’s a truth we need to live by.
Autistic people know what it means to live this life. Their leadership and insight are what will actually change things, for my children and for generations to come.

As a mum, I hold onto that. I know my children deserve a world built with their voices in mind, not a world that tries to squeeze them into shapes that don’t fit. And I’ll keep speaking about it, because their futures – and their joy – depend on it.

With Love Michaela ❤️

Art work done by Miah 👇🏼❤️

09/08/2025

🌿 Summer at New Leaf

Learning, Fun & Connection 🌿

For many of our learners, before joining New Leaf they’ve been disengaged from education for long periods of time. It takes patience, care, and consistency to build trust, routine, and confidence - progress that long breaks can sometimes set back.

That’s why we’ve been running HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) sessions this summer, to keep young people connected and supported. We weren’t sure how they’d go… but every single session has been full and full of smiles!

A highlight so far? Outdoor learning with Glyn! From s’mores and fire building to wood whittling, apple rounders, and even cooking sausage and bacon butties over an open fire. It’s been a chance to build skills, friendships, and memories.

We’re halfway through the summer and couldn’t be prouder of the amazing young people who’ve joined us so far. Well done to each and every one of you! 💚

05/08/2025

🌿 We’ve been shortlisted for the Diverse Cumbria Awards 2025! 🎉

We are incredibly grateful to be recognised alongside so many inspiring individuals and organisations making a difference across the region.

We’re looking forward to a wonderful evening in September, celebrating inclusion, diversity, and community.

27/07/2025

📢 We're Hiring!

New Leaf Centre is looking for a passionate and experienced Functional Skills Tutor to join our dedicated team, supporting neurodivergent young people aged 11–17.

If you're committed to inclusive education and making a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

🖱️ Find out more and via our website:

https://www.newleafcentre.co.uk/vacancies

23/07/2025

🌿 End of Term Newsletter – Now Available! 🌿

As we wrap up another busy and rewarding term at New Leaf Centre, we’re pleased to share our End of Term Newsletter with you all.

Thank you to all of our learners, families, and staff for your continued support. We’re proud to be building a nurturing, neurodiversity-affirming environment where every young person can thrive.

📬 Click here to read the newsletter:

22/07/2025

At New Leaf Centre this is not just a philosophy, it's what we practice every day. Our provision is built around the understanding that belonging requires compassion, flexibility, trust and a relational approach. For our learners, many who have experienced exclusion, anxiety or misunderstanding elsewhere, we offer a space where they are seen, heard and valued exactly as they are. We don't just talk about belonging, we live it 🌿

What Actually Makes a Pupil Belong?

We keep saying that “belonging” matters in schools — but what does that really mean in practice? What helps a child feel like they belong? Is it a house point? A well-worn uniform? Their photo on the wall?

What does the research — and the lived experiences of children — actually say.

Belonging isn’t a sticker chart or a slogan. It’s not about rewards, displays or systems of merit. It’s not even about strict routines or matching socks (though that’s often where schools start).

Belonging is a felt sense of safety, connection, and acceptance. It’s the knowledge that “someone knows me here. I can be myself here. If I struggle, I won’t be shamed.”

Studies (like those from the Education Endowment Foundation and research around school connectedness) show that relationships are at the core. Pupils feel they belong when:

• They are known and remembered
• Their names are pronounced correctly
• Their cultures and identities are represented in the classroom
• Their feelings are acknowledged rather than dismissed
• Their needs are understood without judgement

It’s not about being the “perfect” pupil — it’s about being a real one and still being welcome.

House points and reward systems might give momentary boosts, but they tend to favour the already confident, the compliant, the able-to-mask. They can leave others feeling unseen or “less than,” especially when their challenges make rewards harder to access.

Strict uniform policies are often seen as “levellers,” but for many pupils, they can reinforce difference — especially for those with sensory needs, financial hardship, or gender expression that doesn’t fit the norm. Belonging can’t be pinned to a tie.

So what does work?

✅ Warm, attuned adults who notice when something’s off
✅ Flexible approaches that allow individuality
✅ Curriculums that reflect diverse voices
✅ Clear but compassionate boundaries
✅ Safe spaces to retreat to when things feel too much
✅ Pupils having a say in decisions that affect them

We must also acknowledge that belonging and behaviour aren’t the same thing. A child can look like they’re complying — quiet, uniformed, sitting still — and feel completely alone. Another child might shout or walk out of class because they don’t feel safe enough to stay. One masks. The other escapes. Neither truly belongs.

Belonging isn’t always visible.

The truth is, belonging can’t be forced. But it can be nurtured — daily, gently, relationally. It’s in the look that says “I see you,” the voice that says “you’re safe here,” and the actions that say “you matter.”

We need to not mistake control for connection.

Because in the end, a child who feels like they belong is a child who is more able to learn, more willing to try, and more likely to come back tomorrow.

Emma
the Autistic SENCo
♾️

17/07/2025

🌞 What an amazing afternoon at our Summer Fête!

Our learners were at the heart of it all designing and building their own games, running stalls, and even dressing up as a giant duck! There were cakes, sweet treats, a tombola, and the stocks (which left quite a few of us soaked!). A big thank you to Billy, one of our learner’s grandads, for the brilliant live music, and to the ice cream van for providing the goods!

We’ve had some incredible feedback:

“The best day I’ve ever had.”

“You’ve changed our lives.”

“We used to get no conversation… now we can’t get them to stop!”

It's feedback like this that reminds us why we do what we do. Over the past year we've seen exceptional personal growth in our learners not only through their confidence but also in the achievements they've worked hard for, including completing ASDAN awards and participating in meaningful hands on projects.

A huge thank you to our fantatsic Head of Provision, Laura, for her passion and leadership.

We're so proud of how far we've come this year and even more proud of the young people we work with every day.

Here’s to an inspiring first year and everything that lies ahead! 💚

12/07/2025

🌿 New Leaf Learners Take on Go Ape! 🌿

Yesterday, Group 1 had an amazing day at Go Ape, filled with challenge, courage, and lots of peer support. Learners showed brilliant teamwork and confidence, stepping outside their comfort zones and celebrating each other's successes.

These trips are part of our wider approach to help young people build emotional strength, group work, communication and social skills, as well as marking a well earned end-of-year celebration.

📅 Groups 2 and 3 will be attending next week, and we're looking forward to creating more positive, supported experiences together.

💚 We also want to acknowledge those who aren't able to attend this time. We see you and we're proud of your progress too and there will be other opportunities when the time is right.

04/07/2025

As we approach the end of our first academic year, we want to take a moment to say a huge well done to our learners, families, and of course, our fantastic team. We know that for many, just making it through the door each day is a significant achievement and we see, appreciate, and celebrate every step taken.

With just two weeks to go until the end of term, we’re heading into the final stretch and we’ve got some exciting things happening:

🌳 End of Year Trip to Go Ape
If you haven’t yet confirmed your learners place, please get in touch as soon as possible to let us know whether they'll be joining us.

🐤 End of Year Summer Fete
Our learners have been working hard building games and preparing for our end-of-year Summer Fete and we can't wait to welcome you all to celebrate their achievements.

📸 Snapshots & News
We’ve shared a few photos from this term to give you a glimpse of what we’ve been up to and we’ll be sharing more updates, highlights, and celebrations in our End of Term Newsletter, so keep an eye out!

This term has been a journey, one that’s taken resilience, teamwork, and heart.

It’s the final push. You’ve got this and we’ve got you.

28/05/2025

Our team is growing. For further details, please visit www.newleafcentre.co.uk

17/05/2025

❗️ NEW Autism Pathway Navigator drop ins!❗️

For families exploring an autism assessment for their child - sessions are attended by an Autism Pathway Navigator, a Speech and Language Therapist, an Occupational Therapist, a health visitor, and other parent/carers.

📆 Penrith Library - Monday 19th May 11am - 1pm

📆 Sands Centre, Carlisle - Thursday 19th June 11am - 2pm

📆 Sands Centre, Carlisle - Thursday 17th July 9.30am - 12.30pm

📆 Sands Centre, Carlisle - Thursday 18th September 9.30am - 12.30pm

More dates to follow for the West!

You can email the Autism Pathway Navigator for more info at NorthCumbriaChildrensMAAT@ncic.nhs.uk

15/05/2025

Yesterday our learners had a fantastic outdoor experience with a visit from Zoobidoo! They had the chance to meet and interact with a variety of fascinating animals, asking brilliant questions, learning new facts, and bravely holding some of the creatures (with lots of excitement and smiles along the way!).

For many of our learners, working in a group setting has previously been a significant challenge but they showed just how far they've come. We are incredibly proud of each and every learner for the way they engaged, supported one another, and embraced the experience.

They all worked incredibly well together, showing excellent communication and respect for our visitors, setting a great example of what New Leaf is all about.

For any parents who would like photos of their child with the animals, please drop us a message on the New Leaf phone and we’ll do our best to get them to you.