Welcome to Marland School

Marland is a successful Devon Local Authority termly residential community special school for secondary age boys with behavioural, emotional and / or social difficulties. Our aim is to work in partnership with parents to help each and every student to develop into happy, independent, well educated and socially confident young adults.

In order to take up their place in society and build successful relationships, young people need to develop a respect for themselves and for others. They also need to acquire skills and knowledge if they are to be capable of exercising rational choice in a democratic society. For that reason all students are expected to work, to make academic progress and to achieve their full potential during their time at Marland.

In doing this we hope they will become more successfully integrated into the school, communities and society at large.

Keith Bennett
Principal

Marland School is a 39-week residential Devon LA Community Special School for boys who experience behavioural, emotional and / or social difficulties. The school caters for 40 boys ranging from 11 to 16 years in age. The ethos of the school is centred around the needs of the individual, the overall aim being to provide each student with the highest standards of teaching, learning and care.

Within our educational community much emphasis is placed upon warmth, security, support, consistency, honesty, respect, guidance and encouragement. It is our intention that the boys in our care will benefit from the positive relationships we can offer through the role models they are provided with.

The main priorities of our staff are to consistently meet the educational, social, emotional and physical needs of each student. We aim to prepare and equip these young people with the appropriate educational, social and practical skills that are essential for success within mainstream society.

At Marland we provide an extensive and varied activity programme. Our staff team are equipped with training and qualifications in a range of outdoor pursuits, including surfing, cycling, canoeing, archery, moorland walking and climbing. Such active outdoor pursuits provide our students with the chance to experience new and innovative challenges. It also gives the opportunity for enhancing the social skills of discipline, team work, patience and tolerance in preparation for future life.

All students follow the standard National Curriculum with SATs testing at Year 9 and external exams at Year 10 / 11. Exam results show that the school is successful, with our overall performance frequently exceeding the national average for similar schools across the country. Our school leavers generally gain a range of qualifications including Entry Level Certificates and GCSEs.

The general curriculum is modified and personalised to meet each individual student's needs. Each student will usually be allocated to a Year group appropriate to his age, though very occasionally for educational reasons boys have been placed in a group either below or above their age but this will be in consultation with the Local Authority and parents. Boys are taught in small classes of approximately 5 students to ensure they receive the optimum support with their learning.

Increased Flexibility at Keystage 4

In Year 10 and 11 we aim to offer our students the opportunity to engage in a range of vocational activities away from Marland School . Currently boys are enrolled on courses including Catering, Motor Vehicle Studies, Public Services and General Construction, at North Devon College one day a week.

Connexions

Devon and Cornwall Connexions Service offer a comprehensive careers and guidance service to all our boys. The Connexions Personal Advisor allocated to Marland meets with every boy as early as Year 8 to establish a positive relationship. As boys move through the school the level of contact and advice increases as required. From Year 9 our Connexions P.A. has an input in all Annual Reviews, meets with parents and works with P.A.'s from the boy's home areas if they live outside of North Devon .