‘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

WelcomeWe 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 UsFordwater 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 learnersOur 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.

Positive PartnershipsTo 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.

‘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

CommunityWe 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 RoadChichesterWest SussexP019 6PP

Telephone: 01243 782475Email: office@fordwatersch.co.uk

www.fordwater.myedupress.co.uk

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