Camphill School has been operating since 1940 and today our students take part in a rewarding variety of activities, which include: education, including SQA qualifications; craft, land-based and practical workshops, such as weaving, farming, woodwork and bike maintenance; wide range of therapies, from massage to equine therapy; day trips to places of interest; holidays across Scotland (camping holidays are a favourite!); opportunities to explore the Scottish hills as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; household activities, including cooking and cleaning; exercise sessions using our on-site swimming pool and gym hall and facilities in the local area; and social gatherings and events - Easter egg hunts, Halloween parties and much, much more!

We offer day and residential placements for students up to the age of 25, with an individually tailored programme for each student.  Our services are based on three campuses surrounded by peaceful woodlands - Murtle (Bieldside), Camphill (Milltimber) and Cairnlee (Bieldside).

Our Approach to Care

Our overall approach to providing learning, care and support is keeping the child/young person at the heart of everything that we do. Children only have one childhood, and we aim to make every day count for them. 

Our theoretical underpinning comes from a deep understanding of the teachings of Rudolf Steiner and Karl Konig (the founder of the Camphill movement) - we use educational, therapeutic, and creative approaches alongside the natural environment to maximise the physical/mental health and well-being of those we support. We also work to the principles of social pedagogy: the idea that each person has inherent potential, is valuable, resourceful and can make a meaningful contribution to their wider community. 

At the heart of everything is the quality of the relationships we build in our shared living settings, our school, our therapists and in the learning for life day services.

We place great importance on developing and maintaining partnerships with parents/carers, social workers, health practitioners and specialist workers, so that we can provide a holistic response to the needs of our children/young people.

Camphill School Aberdeen is the founding organisation of a worldwide movement. Work here began in 1940, and today there are six independent Camphill charities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and over 100 centres across the world. You can read more about our rich history here.