Sunfield Children's Home
| Established | 1930 |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent special school |
| Principal | Ms Caroline Bell |
| Founders |
Friedrich Geuter Michael Wilson |
| Location |
Clent Grove Clent Worcestershire DY9 9PB England |
| DfE number | 885/6024 |
| DfE URN | 117033 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 57 as of February 2016[update] |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 6–19 |
| Website | School website |
Sunfield is an independent residential special school and charity on the border of Worcestershire and the West Midlands in England. It was founded in 1930 to support boys and girls, aged 6 – 19 years, with complex learning needs, including autism.
Sunfield offers 38- and 52-week residential placements to students from across the UK, as well as day places to students from neighbouring local authorities. It is flexible with its residential packages and offers short breaks for its students on day or 38 week placements.
It supports young people with a range of learning and behavioural needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy and Pathological Demand Avoidance Syndrome (PDA).
Sunfield is on the list of Secretary of State Approved Independent Special Institutions.
Sunfield was established in 1930 by Friedrich Geuter and Michael Wilson, based on the principles of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. This impetus established Sunfield as one of the leading Curative Educational Communities in the UK.
Fried Geuter, a co-worker of Dr Ita Wegman in Switzerland had come to the UK at her request of in order to establish anthroposophical special needs education there. He took charge of a home for children with handicap in Kent together with his wife Maria.
Fried was invited to lecture on his work to the anthroposophical group of Theodora Wilson, in Selly Oak. Here, he was introduced to Theodora's son Michael, who was the second conductor of the British National Opera Orchestra and a brilliant young violinist and composer.
Some time later, Michael Wilson discontinued his musical career and Fried left the home in Kent. Together, they founded Sunfield in a house in Selly Oak, close to the Wilson family home of Elmfield. It was named after the original therapeutic home of Dr Wegman, the “Sonnenhof” in Arlesheim, Switzerland. A small Rudolf Steiner school was also started at Elmfield and was run by Eileen Hutchins for the Sunfield co-workers' children.
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