Derrymount Special School - Nottinghamshire Local Authority School

Students aged from 5  to year 13 with a Statement of Special Educational needs or Education Health and Care Plan in relation to Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) including Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Students may present with high levels of anxiety, challenging behaviours arising from the ASC or from addition disagnosis such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivty Disorder, Attention Deficit Disoroder and Attachment disorders. Students may have mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties. Many are able to achieve normal academic levels for their age.

• Regularly monitor and adjust provision to ensure that it is effective and taylored to individual needs.
• Individual student targets that are reviewed and adjusted when to challenge and raise achievements, reviewed every half term.
• Termly progress/parents evenings to report back to parents on progress.
• Data analysis and detailed reports to Governors to support strategic planning and development.
• Annual reviews of Individual Needs Targets and subject achievements set against prior attainment.

• Regular contact with home through the use of the school diary, phone calls or emails.
• Termly  progress/parents evenings to report back to parents on progress.
• Individual Education Plans (IEP) are written in conjunction with parents and students that allows a student centred approach.
• Annual reviews.

High expectations and recognition of ability.

We use personalised and/or individualised programmes where appropriate.

High staff/student ratio allowing targeted interventions.

A curriculm designed around pupil interests and skills.

A variety of curriculum pathways and partners - College, work experience, Entry Level courses, Vocational courses, GCSE courses, A levels  etc.

• We have small classes and high ratios of staff
• Students have access to a full range of subjects
• Strong emphasis on developing aspirations and independence
• Wide range of accredited courses at KS4
• Personalised learning experiences
• Specialist subjects teachers
• Safe and secure learning environment
• Personalised access to qualifications and future career choices

• We consult with parents and professionals on entry to the school and at annual reviews/progress evenings
• Ongoing assessment and review of academic and personal development achievements
• Subject specific staffing requirements and individual access needs
• Other professionals through multi agency meetings and consultations

• Structured  lunchtime activities
• Sporting events and competitions throughout the year
• Curriculum field trips outside of the school day
• After school clubs and activities
• Supported work  based learning and college placements
• Independent Travel Training
• Tutor/class trips (social development)
• Additional staffing
• School minibuses and car available for accessing the community
• Strong partnerships with local colleges, business and other agencies

• High staff ratios and individual support teams
• Regular reviews of effectiveness of individual provision
• Flexible approach to meeting individual needs
• Experienced and well trained staff
• Strong partnerships with parents
• Safe and secure school environment
• Strong programme for personal development and personal independence
• Wide range of educational opportunities to develop personal interests

• All staff have specific training to meet the needs of students including those related to health and medication
• Ongoing support from Educational Psychology Service (EPS) and other agencies
• Regular updates on legislation, curriculum and  SEN specific ways of working
• Ongoing ASD specific training, including behaviour management and communication development
• Subject updates to support high quality curriculum development
• Updates on qualification/exam access and special considerations
• Courses with other professional bodies

Partnerships a wide range of outside agencies including:

• The Educational Psychology Service
• Schools and Families Specialist  Services – includes those for Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction, Sensory Impairments and Physical Disabilities, Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
• Complex Case Resolution Team
• Health Services including school Nurse, Paediatricians and Child and Adult Mental Health services (CAMHS)
• Social Care and Local Children’s Centres
• Targeted Support
• Alternative and other education providers such as: REAL Education, Stonesoup, colleges and other special schools
• Individual music tuition

• Two main school sites – Lower school for primary to Y9 and the Upper school for Y9 to Y13
• Specialist teaching rooms
• Secure and safe school sites
• Upper school site in easily accessible with no steps inside the building, wide corridors
• Lower school site is very secure and safe
• Small individual spaces available on both sites for 1-1 Support Services
• On site catering facilities which can respond effectively to individual needs
• Transport is provided by the LA for all students who meet their requirements

• Daily contact with home through the use of the school diary and phone calls
• Half termly we review progress against targets
• Termly progress evenings to report back to parents on progress
• Education Plans (EP) are written in conjunction with parents and students that allows a student centred approach
• Annual reviews
• Options consultation sessions
• Parent coffee mornings
• Parent mentoring Support Services
• Weekly mailshot or email
• Website information
• Parent support groups and training sessions

• We hold regular meetings with students to ascertain their views on the school and help us to develop appropriate provision
• Student council
• Student contributions in review
• Student interest gain annually for following years option courses
• Tutor groups consulted over social trips and after school activities
• Examination and work based learning discussions and support through 1-1 careers support

• Speak to your child’s class team or a member of the Senior Leadership Team at the earliest opportunity so that a meeting can be arranged if necessary to resolve the concern
• If concerns are not resolved please follow the complaints procedure which is on the school website or email the head teacher or school office to raise the concern further
• If concern/complaints are not satisfactorily resolved you can contact the Chair of Governors or the LA for further action
• Our complaints policy is available on our school website

• Through delegated responsibility to the Head teacher to ensure needs are met
• Access is provided to outside agencies arranged as appropriate
• Resource allocation is made when particular access required

• Via the School website
• At termly parents and carer’s evening
• Through weekly mailshots and emails
• Via Nottinghamshire County Council Local Offer is a comprehensive directory of local services, opportunities and access for children and young people with SEN and disabilities in the area www.nottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk
• Regular coffee and information mornings
• Through Parent mentors support

• Individual personal planned transition session with parents, students and professionals
• Revision of classroom groups where appropriate
• Photo and video support where appropriate
• Personalised programmes with staged transition into classrooms where appropriate
• Clearly identified transport needs with the LA  and support prior to admission

• Individual programmes planned around each young person
• All movement to new classes occur in July so ensure students and familiar with new areas and staff before the long summer break

• Independent living/life skills/Independent Travel Training
• Work related learning programmes
• PSHCE programmes including sex education and relationships
• Ongoing careers and college course  information
• Link courses at colleges
• Functional skills in Literacy and Numeracy

• By visiting our website www.derrymount.notts.sch.uk
• Contacting the school admin team on 0115 9534015 or 9675020
• By arranging a visit to the school site
• By calling Parent Partnership or Nottinghamshire County Council  SEN department