Encompass Education Hub
A place to belong. A path to being yourself. A way to learn.
What is Encompass Education Hub?
Encompass Education Hub is an education initiative sponsored by Autism New Zealand, created specifically for autistic/neurodivergent young people. We are a unique secondary education option, where emotional safety, deep interests and autonomy form the foundation of learning.
Our physical hubs will open in Auckland and Wellington from Term 3 2026. We are currently finalising the specific sites to ensure they provide calm, predictable, sensory considerate learning environments where students can thrive.
Our Vision
To be a place where every autistic/neurodivergent young person is understood, valued, and empowered to lead a life of their own making.
Our Mission
We partner with students and their whānau to create a safe, interest-led learning environment. By focusing on emotional safety first, we support young people to reengage with learning, build confidence, and develop the knowledge and skills they need to shape their own futures.
Who Is Encompass For?
Encompass supports secondary students (Years 9–15) who would benefit from a personalised, flexible, and neuro–affirming environment. In 2026 the school will open with students in Years 9-11.
Encompass is an option for students who:
Experience sensory or social overload in busy environments
Young people who learn best in smaller, calmer settings with predictable routines and reduced sensory demands.
Learn through deep, sustained interests
Students who naturally engage by exploring topics they care about in depth, and who flourish when these interests are embedded within their learning pathway.
Need flexibility and a self–paced rhythm
Learners whose energy patterns, regulatory needs, or learning styles are better supported by a flexible structure that adapts to them.
Are reconnecting with learning
Young people who may have experienced stress, overwhelm, or extended time away from school, and who need a safe, supportive space to rebuild their confidence and curiosity.
Our intention is not to replace other schooling options, but to provide a specialised pathway for those who benefit from a different type of educational environment.
A Place of Safety
At Encompass, emotional and physiological safety is the starting place for all learning.
We create this foundation through:
- A sensory considerate, predictable environment designed to reduce overwhelm
- A low demand approach that removes unnecessary pressures and expectations
- Respect for movement, stimming, and sensory supports as regulation tools
- Relational safety, where staff work alongside students with authenticity, care, and mutual respect
This baseline of safety provides the space for students to breathe, settle, and begin their journey of discovery at a place and pace that feels right for them.
A Path to Being Yourself
Encompass is a place where young people can be genuinely and comfortably themselves. There is no expectation to mask or adapt to neurotypical norms in order to “fit in.”
Neurodivergence is a natural form of human variation and we value each student’s way of being. By honouring identity, we support students to:
- Develop confidence in who they are
- Understand their strengths and needs
- Build a healthy relationship with their neurodivergent identity
- Navigate the world in ways that align with their authentic selves
This is a community where individuality is understood, accepted, and celebrated.
A Way to Learn
Learning at Encompass is driven by deep interests, curiosity, and each young person’s natural way of thinking. Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, we cocreate an Individualised Learning Plan (ILP, sometimes referred to as an individual education plan; IEP) with the student and their whānau.
Key elements of learning at Encompass include:
- Interest-led learning, where student passions guide the learning journey
- Opportunities to explore beyond, where students can choose new learning
- Individualised pace, honouring readiness rather than age or expectation
- NCEA achievement, built into individualised, relevant contexts
Opportunities for extension or specialised study beyond our immediate hubs
A Partnership with Whānau
Whānau are at the heart of our process. We believe meaningful education is co-constructed, with students, families and supporters, contributing their expertise and insights into their learning journey.
Our partnership approach includes:
- Shared decision-making
- Regular communication
- Collaborative problem solving
- A focus on meaningful progress, however that looks for the student
Together, we will create a pathway that supports wellbeing, learning, and long–term growth.
Education Compass
myPlan
myLearning
myLearning describes what and how each learner is developing across academic, cognitive, and creative areas. Through the myPlan, students
identify the skills and capabilities they want to build, and teachers shape pathways using the five Encompass streams. It becomes a personalised
curriculum plan that connects interests with meaningful progress.
mySelf
mySelf identifies the conditions each learner needs in order to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe. Through the myPlan process, learners explore their sensory profile, triggers, communication preferences, and regulation needs, and they co-design strategies
that help them stay in the “Green Zone”.
mySelf becomes the learner’s personal plan for safety — a set of supports and self-chosen tools they can use to maintain regulation, reduce stress, and signal their needs across environments.
myPath
myPath outlines the learner’s direction, choices,
motivations, and future aspirations.
It supports students to understand their needs, express preferences, make decisions, advocate for themselves, and apply their skills in real-world contexts. myPath builds the capability for self-governance at school
and beyond.
My Supporters
My Supporters includes any person who contributes to the student’s learning and wellbeing, such as teachers, specialists, peers, staff, friends, whānau, and community or work-experience supporters. Together they offer insight, guidance, and encouragement as part of the learner’s journey.
My Teachers
Teachers are experts in relational teaching and
partner with students to plan and co-design learning. They weave in appropriate NCEA learning, support assessment and progress, and help create meaningful pathways as an adventure in learning together with students and whānau.
Learning Areas
ENERGISE
Energise adds movement, adventure, and real-world experiences through activities like sport, outdoor learning, trips, and guest speakers.
ENGAGE
Engage is the beginning and end of day check in where students connect with their Kaiārahi Teacher to regulate, pace, and settle. It is also a learning time to share stories, practise skills, and prepare for the day’s plan.
EPIC
EPIC is our deep-interest project pathway where learning is built around each student’s special interest. Projects can span a term or longer, integrate curriculum areas naturally, and provide an authentic vehicle for NCEA through student-driven evidence and co-designed goals.
EXPLORE
Explore gives students the chance to opt into topic-based subjects offered by teachers, choosing areas that spark interest or curiosity. These short learning experiences can draw from any curriculum area and allow learners to try new ideas in a low-pressure, flexible way.
ESSENTIALS
Essentials builds core literacy and numeracy skills and connects them to each learner’s personalised learning so they can progress confidently across their myPlan.
Oversight
The school is officially supported by, and aligned with, Autism New Zealand. Governance, including employer responsibilities, financial and property management, and legal compliance therefore lie with the Autism New Zealand Board of Trustees.
The development of the school is guided by the Encompass Education Hub Advisory Group, comprising people who are autistic/neurodivergent, family/whānau of an autistic/neurodivergent person or a professional supporting autistic people.