At Camphill School Aberdeen our approach to care is anchored in mutual respect for each other and the environment. Many staff, volunteers, and students live onsite, creating a vibrant family atmosphere. Our outdoor space is often used for community gatherings, activities, and various workshops and therapies.

Each of our three estates is surrounded by woodlands in the west of Aberdeen. Our Murtle Estate, Camphill Estate and Cairnlee Estate are set over 50 hectares of open space and peaceful woodlands, our unique model delivers unparalleled outcomes for our young people in a safe and nurturing setting.

Our services integrate education, lifelong learning expert care, practical workshops and therapies within a sustainable inclusive community. The three estates play a key role in creating a holistic environment where every young person can access the therapeutic and health benefits of their surroundings.

“Camphill School Aberdeen provides amazing person-centred support that offers home away from home care. They give young people the opportunity to be valued, loved and appreciated for who they are.” - Parent Response

Murtle Estate in Bieldside

Murtle Estate, the largest of our three estates with 32 buildings, is home to Camphill Hall - a central feature of our community gatherings. Throughout the year, our staff, volunteers, and students come together at the hall to mark key events. Celebrating these events helps our children and young people pinpoint where we are in the year.

The hall was designed by Slovakian architect Gabor Tallo and opened in 1962 after being in development for over 20 years. Since opening, Camphill Hall has seen thousands of people walk through its doors, thousands of events have occurred inside, and countless happy memories have been made between its walls.

We also share Murtle Estate with our alpacas, horses, donkeys, and other animals. Our animals are always a huge hit with students and their families, staff, and visitors to the estate. They also have many therapeutic benefits. We have daily alpaca walks which are hugely beneficial to our young people, they help get them active, reduce stress and help them gain confidence in building relationships. We also offer a variety of equine therapies that help students build confidence, take on responsibilities, and connect with the horses.

One of young people walking an alpaca

Murtle Estate is also where the construction of phase one of our Building Futures, Transforming Lives capital appeal is underway. Our brand new 11-bedroom residential home and our sustainable social enterprise, Murtle Market, are currently being built. The new home will allow us to open our doors to more young people who need our sector-leading support and Murtle Market will create an inclusive space that offers meaningful work opportunities and skills development for young people with complex additional support needs.

Other notable features of this estate include our organic walled gardens, nursery, swimming pool, and bike workshop.

Camphill Estate in Milltimber

Camphill Estate is where the Camphill movement was founded back in 1940 by Austrian paediatrician Dr Karl König and other Austrian refugees fleeing World War II. We became the first shared living community and school for children with additional support needs in the UK. Since then, it has grown to become a worldwide movement.

Camphill School is located on Camphill Estate, our school provides students with interdisciplinary experiences, projects, and activities throughout the year, making use of our facilities and surroundings. The facilities on this estate include school buildings, craft workshops, therapy buildings, an art studio and residential houses. We make the most of our environment to immerse our students in experiences that benefit their development.

Camphill Estate is also the location of our newly launched inclusive sensory playground project. This playground will be the first fully inclusive free sensory adventure playground in Aberdeen and has been co-designed by the young people here at Camphill School Aberdeen. When complete, the playground will be open to all children and young people in the wider community with sensory disorders who would benefit from accessing relaxed play sessions. A booking system will be used to ensure group sizes remain small enough to enable the children to have the space they need to have a positive experience.

If you took part in this year’s Aberdeen Kiltwalk, you would of passed through Camphill Estate as it was part of this year’s route!

Aberdeen Kiltwalk 2024

 

Cairnlee Estate in Cults

Cairnlee Estate may be the smallest of our three estates, but it truly has a homely feel. It’s home to a weaving and pottery workshop. The peaceful atmosphere and often rhythmical movements of these crafts can be beneficial for our young people.

We also have a garden on Cairnlee estate where we grow a range of organic seasonal produce with the help of the young people. This produce is then distributed to the houses on the estate and cooked up in our kitchens. Our gardens are organic and feature biodynamic practices, no harmful, manufactured chemicals are used to encourage or enhance growth. We do this to protect the environment and wildlife that inhabit our estates.

You can find out more about our services here.