ABOUT US

The school has a dedicated team of professionals who make assessments and then design and implement individual education and therapy programmes. These programmes are tailored to meet the needs of each individual child whilst offering the same range of opportunities found in a mainstream school.

• To develop as fully as possible each pupil's abilities, self-esteem and self-confidence and to encourage the development of the whole person.
• To foster a sense of value within the school community leading to a greater sense of communal responsibility and respect for others.
• To provide a curriculum which takes into account the demands of the National Curriculum but takes as its starting point the very individual needs of each pupil.
• To provide a safe, supportive and caring school environment accompanied by the best possible resources, maximising the learning process for each pupil.
• To provide regular opportunities for parents to meet staff and therapists in order to develop a partnership which will enhance the learning process for each pupil.
• To foster links with local schools, colleges, churches and local industry in order that pupils have plenty of opportunities for inclusion into the community.

Foundation Stage (2-4 years), Key Stage 1 (4-7) and Key Stage 2 (7-11 years) Within foundation and key stage 1 the emphasis is on developing an individual programme. Work is focussed on helping youngsters acquire social and independence skills. Much learning in the early years is often through structured play and the emphasis in these early years is on teaching pupils the skills they need to learn more effectively. The nursery/reception class hold a very successful Monday afternoon informal parents group meeting. As pupils move through the department they begin to acquire good learning skills and the delivery of the curriculum becomes more formal.

Key Stage 3 (11-14 years) and Key Stage 4 (14-16 years) The delivery of the curriculum changes significantly. Two thirds of schooling is now delivered by subject teachers as in a typical secondary school. To ensure pupils get full access to the curriculum they are set by ability for parts of the day. During Key Stage 4 pupils enjoy broader links with the community. These include activities such as our weekly link with Lisieux Hall Farm. Pupils in the senior department begin to access units accredited by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA).

16 to 19 years. The Further Education Unit is a discrete department offering a 2/3 year course. A more adult and mature approach is expected and pupils no longer follow the National Curriculum. Pupils now follow the Accreditation for Life and Living (ALL) curriculum and the National Skills Profile (NSP) designed to prepare them for post-school provision. The modules from both these courses are externally accredited by Oxford, Cambridge and Royal Society of Arts (OCR). Pupils increasingly enjoy opportunities to go on work experience and community involvement and extend their links with local colleges. The FE Unit has its own promotional brochure available on request.