Welcome from the Headteacher Dear Students, Parents, Carers and Colleagues,
educating students from toddlers to adults, who, due to their complex needs, require significant specialist support to succeed academically and achieve their full potential.
It is a great pleasure and privilege to write to you to introduce myself as the Headteacher of Manor Green School.
Our work is underpinned by our unique Philosophy of Education: The ACE Model©. We believe that everything we do, must combine the focus on the academic progress (A), care and therapeutic learning support (C), as well as promotion of life skills and enrichment (E) essential for a fulfilling adulthood.
My passion for high quality teaching and commitment to our students’ outstanding progress are at the forefront of every leadership decision I make and I choose to employ staff who are like-minded in their commitment to the service of others. Consequently, you will find that all those you come in contact with are very positive, respectful, committed and most importantly, truly student-centred. The reality of working at Manor Green School is that of the wonderful combination of tradition and innovation, which aims to deliver the best special education in the world. As a result, Manor Green School is now a very successful school
Every student and staff member is a leader here, modeling the school’s core values and showing positive attitude to problem solving and own reflection, as well as personal and professional development. It is part of our professional mission to support all of our students on their journey towards becoming confident, happy and successful individuals, with well-planned and meaningful future destinations. In order to achieve this, we get to know every student really well and in doing so, we take their and
their families’ opinions, views and priorities into account when designing the learning programmes. Every September we open our doors to new students and their families. For those who are new to the school, as well as all others, this prospectus is intended to help make your transition to Manor Green School as smooth as possible. That said, not all questions can be answered in such a short publication. We have always practised an ‘open door’ policy and I really encourage you to take advantage of this – please contact us whenever issues arise – or just come in to say ‘hello’! Our vision is to be the Centre of Excellence, where every student and adult can be the best that they can be – we hope you will join us on our journey! With very best wishes, Headteacher
School’s Vision & Mission Statement© To be the Centre of Excellence for students with special educational needs School’s Aims© To ensure outstanding outcomes for all students at Manor Green School School’s Motto© Excellence for All
“I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the forward-looking Strategic Leadership Team; by the consistently positive response of staff, pupils, parents and governors regarding the ability of the school to embrace diversity in all its forms; by the obvious and expressed high level of respect that members of the extended school family feel for one another and by the dynamic vision of the Headteacher, who has a concept of inclusion that extends far beyond the school days of her pupils.” Inclusion Quality Mark Assessor, 2012
Philosophy of Education - The ACE Model© Academic Progress Care and Therapeutic Learning Support Enrichment and Life Skills School’s Code of Conduct - Golden Rules© At our school we always: • Treat people kindly • Listen to each other • Look after our school environment • Do our best
Manor Green School Team
Our school is large and its greatest resource is its people, so it is always helpful to know who does what!
and is divided into three departments: Primary, Secondary and Therapeutic Learning Support.
The school is led by our Headteacher who is responsible for the overall effectiveness of the school.
The SBS Team provides School Business Support, including HR and Finance and Operations.
The large team of staff is organised into two teams: The ACE Team and the SBS Team.
We are also supported by our Governing Body, with volunteers consisting of parents, staff and members of the local community both supporting and keeping our Headteacher to account for the overall effectiveness of the school.
The ACE Team focuses on the core business of educating students
Headteacher
ACE Team
Primary Department
Secondary Department
SBS Team
Therapeutic Learning Support Department
Human Resources (HR)
You can contact our Headteacher via: head@manorgreenschool.co.uk
Finance & Operations (F&O)
our PRIMARY DEPARTMENT This area of the school includes Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Each student belongs to a class. Each class has a class teacher, who has a prime responsibility for the child’s wellbeing and progress. Each student has an ACE Plan that forms the basis of their academic learning (A), their care and therapeutic learning support (C), as well as enrichment and life skills development priorities (E). The ACE Plan is reviewed regularly every term, detailing very specific targets for the three areas of our educational philosophy. Families are required to participate in the setting and review of the ACE targets and any feedback regarding the family’s experiences of home life is taken into account when designing school-based learning. We have ongoing age-appropriate links with mainstream nursery and primary schools in the locality and many students in the Primary Department benefit from split placements or other integrated learning.
“The thing that I love about Manor Green School is that my daughter loves coming to school. I have recommended Manor Green to other parents for their children.” Parent
Early Years Foundation Stage We offer both full-time and part-time nursery and reception placements for children age of 2 to 5. Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is used to underpin our teaching and students are supported by qualified staff, including a teacher. At the end of their time in the nursery, students usually progress to our Key Stage 1. EYFS covers: N – nursery and R – reception years
Key Stage 1 Students start Key Stage 1 at the age of 5 and stay within that area until they reach the age of 7. During these two years, students continue to benefit from outstanding teaching and support, whilst adjusting to more formal schooling routines. Students are grouped into small and compatible classes. KS1 covers: Years 1 and 2
Key Stage 2 Key Stage 2 lasts for four years and is the final period of primary education. Students join Key Stage 2 at the age of 7 and leave at the age of 11. All the benefits of specialist EYFS and Key Stage 1 pay off at this stage with students confidently engaging in their own learning journey. Many students show exceptional talents and specific interests, which the school cherishes. It is at this stage that most links with mainstream schools begin to develop for those students whose academic abilities prove higher than initially anticipated. This can lead to a permanent transfer to a mainstream school. All students benefit from a rich and broad curriculum aimed at stimulating their academic progress and personal and social development.
Our SECONDARY DEPARTMENT Our Secondary Department caters for Key Stage 3 (11-14 years), Key Stage 4 (14-16 years) and Key Stage 5 (16+ years) students. Key Stage 3 Students in KS3 are grouped according to their needs to maximise learning opportunities in every lesson. Classes remain small with staff support levels always reflecting individual student needs, yet promoting increased independent learning.
Students, for whom employment is a future aspiration, experience the life of work through a wide range of employment preparation and programmes. Varying amounts of support and supervision are provided according to the needs of the students. Where appropriate, we promote work experience, independent travel and, in many cases, paid work.
Leaving school or staying on
Learning in KS3 is highly personalised, with self-organisation and team-working reinforced through the curriculum.
At the end of Year 11 (aged 16+) students leave the school to attend post-16 programmes.
Students learn through a range of school-based and community activities and they share their reflections and achievements in weekly departmental, Key Stage and class assemblies.
Manor Green School students and their families choose a number of options at the end of their time here, these include:
Key Stage 4 Students continue to study in compatible learning groups with a focus on transition into adulthood taking priority. Students have access to accredited learning and there are opportunities for them to participate in selected specialist subject examinations and increased links with mainstream secondary schools.
• Further Education – this can be at Manor Green School or with another adult training provider • Open or supported employment • Other training schemes, including work based learning apprenticeships • Supported living Advice is available to students and parents throughout their time at Manor Green School, with formal transition planning
during the latter stages of the secondary phase.
Key Stage 5 The learning for our adult students is strictly focused on improving independence and preparation for life after school. The curriculum is highly individualised to meet students’ needs. The provision also creates the opportunity to build on accreditation achieved at Key Stage 4. Our adult students benefit from the tailored guidance of our Job Coaches, who work closely with the students and local employers with a view to helping our school leavers secure paid employment. Students leave upon the completion of their course. We are a large employer and we play our part in practicing what we preach. Many of our past students are now an integral part of the Manor Green School staff team!
OUr THERAPEUTIC LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT (TLS) Our Therapeutic Learning Support Department has three functions: • Supports all students at Manor Green School • Provides bespoke specialist teaching to students with most complex needs and Autism • Offers specialist advice, guidance and training service to mainstream and other special schools in need The diverse range of students’ needs determines the services on offer. In any academic year, we are likely to offer the following support: ~ Total Communications ~ Behaviour Support ~ Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) ~ Physiotherapy ~ Manual Handling ~ Occupational Therapy ~ Conductive Education ~ Rebound Therapy ~ Visual Impairment ~ Hearing Impairment ~ Multi-Sensory Impairment ~ Play Therapy ~ Specialist Nursing Support ~ Music Therapy ~ Pet Therapy ~ Family Advice ~ Educational Psychology ~ Mental Health Support (CAMHS) ~ Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA)
Additionally, the TLS Department is responsible for the Alternative Provision of specialist teaching for students with exceptionally high support needs who are educated by a highly trained teaching and support team. This provision is aimed at intensive interactions with the students who, due to their communication and interaction difficulties, struggle to follow our Key Stage-based programmes of study. Students in our Alternative Provision integrate with their peers through daily meal times, play times, social events and assemblies, whilst retaining a discreet learning space where their focus on learning is much enhanced.
“Everyone works very hard to make it a wonderful environment, where all the children are able to express themselves and be safe at the same time. The facilities are fantastic so every child’s needs are met; and not just academically!”
parent
THE CURRICULUM The school promotes academic progress, pastoral support and life skills development, with particular expertise in promoting Communication and Interactions. The needs of the individual students are our greatest consideration and in order to offer a needs-led curriculum, we are well equipped with material and human resources. The class sizes are considerably smaller than in the mainstream sector, with a high staff to student ratio. The average class size is 10 students, although some are slightly smaller and some larger. Every class is taught by a Class Teacher, who is, in turn, supported by a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and Specialist Support Assistants. Together, they offer a curriculum that is broad, balanced and relevant to all students, with highly personalised integrated therapeutic interventions.
All subjects of the National Curriculum, including Religious Education, form the basis of the curriculum on offer at Manor Green School. These subjects are taught in ways appropriate to the students’ age and stage of development, with learning taking place on campus, off site as well as increasingly, online. Some learning is sensory and sometimes subjects take on the form of a topical project. The precise balance between the curriculum subjects will vary according to the dynamic relationships of the students, the learning and the staff. We are a Learning Organisation and so we are proud of the outstanding progress our students make, but we remain open to changing the ways we approach teaching and learning. We communicate openly with the students, their families and other schools to make sure that our curriculum and methods of delivery adapt to the ever-changing reality of the wonderful world of education.
“We get lots of help and the teachers have more time for us.... In a mainstream the teacher is just there to teach you one lesson and you move on. Here though only the teacher moves on when you understand.”
Student
HOUSE SYSTEM
“Staff are knowledgeable, caring and supportive, providing a range of curricular and enrichment activities to inspire the students and help them develop a wide variety of skills, interests and talents.” “Professionally, we work as a team, and foster the culture of accountability, mutual respect, trust and recognition of everyone’s efforts.” “I’m very happy here – I enjoy my job. I love what I do!”
member of Staff
At Manor Green School we have four competitive Houses, named after 2012 medal winning paralympians, and students and staff are allocated to a house when they join the school. The Houses are: • Peacock: Blue (Jonnie Peacock – running) • Weir: Yellow (David Weir – wheelchair athlete) • Simmonds: Red (Ellie Simmonds – swimming) • Storey: Green (Sarah Storey – cycling) We expect everyone to support their House and students can win House points for following our ‘Golden Rules’©: • Treat people kindly • Listen to each other • Look after our school environment • Do our best The winning House is the one with the most points at the end of each week and this is announced at Friday morning assembly, when the winning House flag is hoisted. Students achieving 50, 100, 200, 300 + points are awarded with certificates and the House with the most points at the end of the year wins the House trophy.
head boy, head girl and prefects Every year one senior boy and one senior girl are selected to act as Head Boy and Head Girl. An additional two students are chosen to act as their Deputies and we also appoint Prefects, whose role is to promote our Golden Rules ©. The Head Boy and Head Girl team work closely with the Headteacher to shape the future of the school and the Prefects support younger or newer students.
“If I were to grade Manor Green School out of ten, I would give it a hundred!!!” Prefect, KS2
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT “Manor Green School has incredible, positive and hard-working Headteacher, very friendly and positive members of staff and wonderful, hard-working Family Adviser. All in all – amazing school!” We believe that the most successful outcomes are based on a close relationship between the home and the school. The school has a full-time Family Adviser, who works with parents and carers by providing support in a practical or emotional way. The offer of support is to help enhance family and school life so that the child can relax and learn in an environment that is conducive to helping achieve good outcomes for everyone. We hold regular coffee mornings in our Parents’ Room. Some sessions have a particular focus designed to be of interest to families, others are less structured and are simply a peer support group. These formal and informal gatherings allow for shared parenting experiences, the gathering of useful information and
Parent
the opportunity to meet with other parents and professionals who work with your child in school. Parenting courses are provided by the Family Adviser, so please contact the school if you would like to find out more.
“I really value Parents’ Coffee
There are a number of activities that take place during the year, including events and festivals where parents and friends are encouraged to join us. Letters and invitations are sent via the Head’s Weekly Newsletter and the communication book.
knows what it’s like to have a
Our Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) and our charitable trust: Friends of Manor Green School, are responsible for a number of fundraising and social events throughout the year. All parents are most welcome to join us at these events!
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I cannot praise the school highly enough for all their fantastic work. I would recommend this school (and have done!) to other parents.”
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“May I please say thank you all so much for all the help you have given Steven over the last
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two years at Manor Green. You have given me my son back. He has loved his time with you. Thank you all!”
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T. 01628 513800 F. 01628 513808 E. office@manorgreenschool.co.uk W: www.manorgreenschool.co.uk
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