‘We feel that the school is doing a great job with our daughter. All staff are friendly, supportive and kind. They are interested in all of our family – it is like we are part of one big school family which gives the school a lovely feel. Thank you for all the work you do every day.’ Parent
Welcome We are an all age (2–19 years) special school for children with a wide range of learning difficulties. We believe every individual is unique and special and deserves the best educational opportunities; we facilitate this by providing a safe, exciting and challenging learning environment, created by a hardworking and dedicated staff team. We give pupils every opportunity to learn and achieve through interesting and exciting lessons and activities, personalised for each and every child. We are proud of all our pupils and their range of achievements, not only in learning but in their social skills, their sense of fun and their contribution to our local community. We encourage all our pupils to be as independent as possible, both in their learning and in their social and personal development. We are a very happy community and aim to offer our families support to enable pupils to thrive and enjoy living and learning. We have an active PTFA and a Governing Body committed to ensuring the best possible opportunities for all our pupils.
About Us Fordwater School is divided into three departments; Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form. In addition we have specialist classes for some children with Autism, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Multi-sensory Impairment (MSI). Each department is led by an experienced Head of Department, whose aim is to provide a unique learning experience for each pupil, at all phases in their education. Our staff are highly committed professionals whose training and experience enables them to provide outstanding support for all our pupils. We have developed, extended and enhanced our resources to reflect the needs of our pupils. These include a purpose-built hydrotherapy pool with an integral overhead hoist system, offering a truly multi-sensory experience. Specialist learning environments; a dark room, multi-sensory room, soft play room and play-barn. Our site includes green field space with football goals and a track for bikes, buggies and go-karts. We also have three playgrounds designed for a range of ages, abilities and needs and a restful wildlife and pond garden.
‘I am so grateful and thankful to the school for everything that my son has achieved.’ Parent
‘Pupils’ behaviour and attitudes are outstanding. They grow into caring, friendly and good-natured young people.’ Ofsted
Exceptional Teaching for Exceptional learners Our aim is to provide personalised learning pathways of the highest standard for every child, to ensure that they enjoy learning, make excellent progress and achieve. Our goal is that all pupils are enabled to be active learners, to be curious, and given opportunities to take risks and explore their ideas. The ability to channel that curiosity and exploration into effective learning is a key role for our teaching staff, achieved through providing carefully planned and structured contexts to meet pupils’ needs. Our curriculum balances meeting individual needs with ensuring all pupils access broad, balanced and rich learning experiences; in the Early Years, Key Stages 1-3, the curriculum is delivered through a topic-based approach. The Key Stages 4 & 5 curriculum places a much greater focus on independence and the skills that enable our pupils to exercise greater autonomy and choice. As part of the learning experience pupils are involved in school based activities enriched by our links with the community. This may include visiting musicians, sporting events, a variety of cultural trips and drama, to name a few! We make sure that all our pupils, with their wide range of abilities, are able to succeed and we take great pleasure in celebrating every achievement. Communication is at the heart of our curriculum and this empowers our pupils as individuals, to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences which make the learning journey enjoyable and meaningful.
‘Different agencies work very well together to support pupils and their families. Staff provide a very high level of care and welfare for pupils.‘ Ofsted
Positive Partnerships To get the most from their education, our children need to be secure and comfortable. Much of our work is to make sure that underlying issues – such as posture, seating, mobility, communication and confidence – are addressed. We focus on removing barriers to learning, seen or unseen. This creates a level playing field that gives our young people the best possible chance to enjoy themselves, have fun, become more confident and independent, as well as learn new skills. Our team includes a full time School Nurse who ensures all the students’ medical needs are addressed. The school is also supported by a team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists who work closely with class teams and families to ensure specialist programmes are in place. For those pupils who need additional support, ‘Team around the Child’ meetings are held; bringing together all professionals to ensure that each young person and their family receive all the necessary support. Visiting professionals include Educational Psychologists, Orthotists, Technicians from the Wheelchair Service and Advisory Teachers for the Visual and Hearing Impaired.
Community We provide as many opportunities as possible for our pupils to take part in stimulating and challenging activities such as ‘Forest Schools’ and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Many of these are part of the daily curriculum, but pupils also have the chance to take part in a wide range of lunchtime and after school clubs such as Drama, Rebound Therapy, Swimming, Singing, Gardening, Cookery and a Youth Club for the older students. Not wanting to leave anyone out, we offer regular opportunities for parents to work alongside their children in family learning courses such as ‘Cook and Eat’ and ‘Creative Arts’. Parents can also attend regular coffee mornings, support groups and courses designed especially for them, e.g. Communication Passports, Makaton and Sleep Clinics. Fordwater works closely with local schools, colleges and the voluntary sector and is active in supporting the needs of all pupils with special educational needs in the area through ‘NOVIO’ the SEN Hub. This organisation is run in conjunction with two other local special schools. We take part in joint projects with local schools, which have included a massage project and a dance project. Fordwater students are an integral part of our local community, fundraising for local, national and international charities, working on the local allotment and participating in a wide range of community events.
Summersdale Road Chichester West Sussex P019 6PP Telephone: 01243 782475 Email: office@fordwatersch.co.uk www.fordwater.myedupress.co.uk
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