THE CHILTERN SCHOOLSEN INFORMATION REPORT

SEPTEMBER 2016

AIMS OF THE CHILTERN SCHOOL:-

Ensure that all pupils and students receive a personalised learning

programme that meets their individual needs.

Enable them to learn in a safe, healthy and happy school.

Value and respect all members of our school community.

Teach an exciting curriculum that is motivating, relevant and challenging.

Develop pupil’s ability to express themselves and understand others.

Promote independence, self-esteem and confidence.

Encourage pupils to make choices, express preferences and opinions and

engage in making decisions.

Work with pupils, families and professionals to meet the needs of each

individual.

WE WILL ACHIEVE THESE AIMS BY:

Working in collaboration with other agencies on implementing all safeguarding procedures.

Actively involving governors, staff, pupils and families in decision making and development planning.

Planning school development in the light of national initiatives and current research.

Encouraging staff to reflect upon their work and refine their practice through collaboration and team work.

Ensuring that staff are well trained and have access to good quality professional developing opportunities.

Providing highly efficient and effective administrative financial management.

Identifying and securing adequate and appropriate resources.

PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION OF PROVISION:

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The Headteacher takes the lead in planning provision, monitoring performance and evaluating effectiveness. The Headteacher is supported by members of school leadership team (SLT):-

Deputy Head (Post 1) Responsible for Learning and ImprovementLeading Early Years Support Service

Deputy Head (Post 2) Responsible for Innovation and PartnershipSafeguarding responsibility

Assistant HeadResponsible for all SENCo proceduresLeading ASD Outreach.TEACCH TrainerNamed CP Officer

Assistant Head Responsible for DataResponsible for professional development and Appraisal

Assistant HeadResponsible for pupil behaviour and wellbeing

Transitions OfficerPlanning and co-ordinating transition opportunities for students in their final year of school.

Finance Manager & Office ManagerCo-ordination of all administrative and financial support for the school.

PUPIL ADMISSION:3

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The Chiltern School is an Area Special School.

Admissions are arranged by the Local Authority and are reserved for pupils with a Statement of Educational Need or an Education, Health & Care Plan. In exceptional circumstances, a place can be offered to undertake an assessment of need.

The Chiltern School is a day school for children and young people between the ages of 3 and 19 years. Pupils present a range of learning needs which include Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) with additional needs; Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) Autism and Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASD); Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES:4

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The Chiltern School operates from two sites:-

Primary Site, Beech Close, Dunstable, LU6 3LYSecondary Site, Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5PX

Facilities:-

Hydrotherapy pool on primary site

Drama Studio on secondary site

Interactive Light and Sound rooms

Soft Play Room (Primary)

Libraries

Sensory Gardens on both sites.

Food Technology Rooms

Art and Technology Rooms

Access to ‘Out of School Provision’ from age 9 years.

Recreation facilities

School Café

Pupil run Tuck Shop

Horticulture Provision

Workshop

Life Skills Bungalow

Four school mini buses with tail lift facility.

Specialised ICT provision

Adapted Outdoor Play areas

Lunchtime Clubs and Activities.

Medical Rooms and School Nurse on both sites.

Devoted Therapy Rooms and visiting therapists (including Speech & Language, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Music Therapy, Play Therapy).

Ramps and hoists facilitate access to teaching areas.

The schools’ major resource is staff. Each class is led by a teacher who is supported by Teaching Assistants.

IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND REVIEW:

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The school’s assessment, review and reporting procedures operate in line with regulation and statutory guidance.

Pupils with additional complex needs will have a multi-professional assessment meeting prior to the Annual Review Meeting.

All relevant professionals are invited to the Annual Review meeting along with parents/carers. At the meeting, The Statement of SEN or Educational Health Care Plan is reviewed to ensure it reflects current pupil needs and required resources to meet needs.

At the meeting, the pupil’s learning priorities for the coming year are translated into the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) by the teacher. The meeting provides opportunity to discuss anticipated changes to provision such as transition to a post-school provider.

CURRICULUM ACCESS:

All pupils at The Chiltern School receive a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum that is delivered at Early Years Foundation Stage, National Curriculum and Post 16 levels. Functional and transferable learning targets within the PLP are taught throughout the daily/weekly timetabled lessons.

In order to ensure the inclusive presence, participation and progress of all pupils the school responds to individual learning styles by providing flexible classroom structures and routines and by using a range of recognised specialist teaching strategies aimed at promoting communication and interaction skills.

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WORKING WITH FAMILIES:

Parents/Carers receive regular information that allows them to evaluate the quality of provision for their own child. In addition to commenting on an end of year report covering their child’s performance in all areas of the curriculum, parents/carers are invited to submit a report prior to Annual Review concerning past progress and future priorities of learning.

Partnership with parents/carers is delivered through consultation and involvement in all aspects of their child’s education and care at The Chiltern School.

A dedicated Transitions Officer invests much time in working closely with students and their families on planning and preparing for post-school placement.

The Family Forum meets regularly to support the development of school initiatives, curriculum and all aspects of school life.The Supporters of Chiltern School is a parent/staff association and organises information for families/carers, raises funds and provides social opportunities for the school community.

The Chiltern School is committed to providing an outstanding service to all its families. Parental concern will be dealt with sensitively and swiftly and resolution is often reached through discussion with the class teacher. The school will put parents/carers in touch with the Parent Partnership Support Service in order to assist satisfactory resolution to a complaint.

WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES:7

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The Chiltern School works closely with external professionals to ensure that pupil needs are identified, assessed, met and reviewed regularly and in ways that are consistent and complementary.

Nurses and therapists work on site alongside school staff to secure the educational, social, physical and emotional well-being of all pupils. In line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) the school works closely with social workers based at the locality hubs, to support the wellbeing of pupils and students and their families. We have close links with the Community Support Team and local residential provision at Kingfishers.

The Chiltern School is a member of both Teaching Schools in Central Bedfordshire and the Acorn Primary Teaching School.

The Chiltern School is well established within the local community of schools and is highly regarded by Central Bedfordshire LA. The LA commissions outreach work from The Chiltern School in the development of inclusive practice within mainstream schools. Commissioned services also include:-

ASD Advisory Teacher providing support for all schools with pupils who have a diagnosis of ASD

The Early Years Support Service Team who support children from birth to 5 years who have special educational needs.

The Chiltern School has long standing partnerships with local Colleges. Our Transitions Officer works very closely with them to extend the curricular opportunities of our Post 16 Students.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

The Chiltern School has a recognised commitment to the professional development of all staff. Training is planned to improve practice and provision in classrooms.Induction training is provided for all new staff which includes safeguarding, moving and handling, signing etc,

Enhanced training opportunities are available for teachers wishing to gain specialist qualifications in the field of SEN at post-graduate level. The school has close links with University of Northampton (ASC).

Well established appraisal and coaching procedures ensure that the training needs of teachers are identified and met.

SEN REPORT REVIEW:

The SEN Report will be reviewed yearly by the Governing Body and Headteacher.

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