Emberfield Guardians - Governance Policy
At Emberfield Growth, we believe in radical transparency and relational safety. While the provision is a private practice, it is not an isolated one. We are overseen by the Guardians of Emberfield — a voluntary panel of independent professionals who provide clinical, strategic, and compliance oversight to ensure our cohort is always professionally held.
The Resolution Pathway
We aim to resolve all concerns through open, unhurried dialogue. However, should a parent feel a concern has not been addressed, we follow a formal Three-Stage Resolution Pathway.
Stage 1 — Informal Resolution In the first instance, parents should discuss any concerns directly with the Founder, Fenella Buchanan. Most issues are resolved at this stage through restorative conversation.
Stage 2 — Independent Review If a resolution is not reached, parents have the right to contact our Clinical Guardian, Eleanor Wellspring. Eleanor will conduct a brief independent check-in with the parent to understand the concern. She will then convene with the full Guardian panel to discuss the findings and seek a professional recommendation.
Stage 3 — Mediated Resolution If necessary, a formal meeting will be arranged. This meeting is chaired by a Guardian and aims to reach a restorative agreement that prioritises the wellbeing of the young person and the integrity of the community.
Eleanor Wellspring — Clinical and Therapeutic Lead (Independent Mediator)
Eleanor Wellspring is an Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and former School Inclusion Programme Lead with a deep commitment to alternative education and trauma recovery. Drawing on her background in therapeutic fostering, SEND programme development, and her current MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology, she provides independent clinical and therapeutic oversight to Emberfield — ensuring it remains a safe, values-led space where young people can heal and thrive.
Charlotte Green — Strategic and Operational Peer
Charlotte Green is a learning and development professional with a career focused on growth, change, and human potential. As the parent of neurodiverse children with lived experience of mainstream education's limitations, she brings both professional rigour and deep personal understanding to her role at Emberfield. As Strategic and Operational Peer, Charlotte ensures the provision remains values-led, relationally grounded, and genuinely aligned with the needs of the young people and families it serves.
Katie Buckhaven — SEND and Compliance Advisor
Katie Buckhaven is a learning support specialist and qualified teacher with over a decade of experience identifying, supporting and advocating for young people with SEND across independent school settings. A Modern Languages graduate of Oxford University and former Head of Learning Support at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, she brings both academic rigour and deep practical understanding to her role at Emberfield. As SEND and Compliance Advisor, Katie ensures our provision is robustly evidenced, carefully governed and genuinely responsive to the needs of every young person in our community.
The Practicalities at a Glance.
Ages: 9–16.
Investment: £15,000 per year.
Location: Buckinghamshire, UK.
Legal Status: Emberfield Growth Ltd is a registered company (No. 16846099) operating as a specialist alternative provision and private mentoring practice. Parents retain full legal responsibility for their child's education.
Protecting the Peace (Our Legal Framework)
Emberfield Growth operates as a specialist mentoring sanctuary, supporting families who have chosen the path of elective home education. To ensure total transparency and a robust defence of your child's educational rights, every aspect of our practice is carefully documented and governed.
For each learner we maintain a Student Compass — a personalised portfolio that tracks progress across academics, practical life skills, social and emotional development, and creative thinking. This serves as a formal record of provision, mapped to IGCSE standards with termly progress reports. It is designed to be shared with Local Authorities as part of your annual evidence, providing professional third-party proof that your child is thriving.
What the fees cover
Exceptional 1:4 learner-to-adult ratio.
A calm, manageable day (9:00–2:45).
Consistent mentoring and pastoral support.
All curriculum resources and practical materials.
Send us an enquiry
Practical information at a glance
Ages: 9–16. Investment: £15,000 per year (Inclusive of all mentoring, materials, and ASDAN fees). Location: Buckinghamshire, UK. Legal Status:Emberfield Growth Ltd is a registered company (No. 16846099) operating as a specialist alternative provision and private mentoring practice. Parents retain full legal responsibility for their child's education. Placements: All placements are governed by a formal Family Placement Agreement, provided at induction. Safeguarding: Emberfield Growth holds a full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, available on request.
Emberfield Growth is registered on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service Directory.