Aims 

Our over-riding aim is to develop to the optimum pupils who come to Pontville, not just in terms of their academic potential but with regard to their whole person and the complexities that are a part of all of us. As such we offer an educational programme that covers the National Curriculum, and vocational courses at 16+, with external accreditation at all levels.
Alongside this we also offer a range of lessons, activities and services that help develop the whole person.  These include: 

•     Work Related Learning / Work Experience
•     Supported access to mainstream
•     Therapeutic services (see separate section)
•     Counselling services
•     Pupil Support Services
•     Residential provision
•     Parental advice ands support

"The key aspects are pupils’ performance in comprehension, expression, social communication and the key skills required for functional development. These skills are seamlessly entwined into the curriculum planning for all subjects." Ofsted

Curriculum 

Our approach at Pontville is unique; all subjects are designed to teach communication skills as a central theme to their content. By having this focus within the curriculum, skills that are difficult to transfer become more naturally acquired as they are practised in all lessons across the day and in the residential setting for those accessing this facility.
We offer a full range of subjects at varying levels so that academic development can be optimised, whether you are studying for GCSE’s or accessing a course in life skills, or both.
Our approach was commended by Ofsted as it ‘opens doors for pupils previously closed by the barriers they had to their learning’.  We take pride in our young people. 

Learning Support  

Our Pastoral Care Manager co-ordinates a team of trained and experienced Teaching Assistants. All class groups have a minimum of one member of support staff and where required 1:1 support is available to work within and outside of the classroom setting. Class groups are kept small to allow this support to have the optimum effect on the learning environment.
A key aspect of our support for our young people is the integration of therapeutic services within the body of the learning approach.  These services are operated across all areas of the school.  

Staff   

Our staff are motivated and enthused by the work they do and the success they see achieved on a daily basis. Qualified subject specialist teachers and instructors deliver a day based curriculum, with qualified care staff operating our residential units. All our staff have been trained in communication difficulties.
  

"The curriculum and other activities are outstanding in meeting the range of needs and interests of pupils. It is a highly relevant and specialist curriculum which improves pupils’ self-esteem and confidence, is motivating and gives pupils a sense of worth and achievement." Ofsted

All age range provision 

The school has provision available from 5-19 with specialist staffing for each phase. 

Primary (KS1/2) 

We offer a small unit facility that places emphasis on the young people developing their communication abilities for the fulfilment of their own personal and learning needs. The focus is on helping the young person acquire the basic skills to communicate effectively and appropriately for their age group. This helps them gain the most from the curriculum and the intensive therapeutic support given. 

Secondary (KS3/4) 

At this stage we focus an helping our young people develop their personal communication skills into a wider social context, both within the school and the wider world. We have specialist facilities for all the curriculum areas offered, including science, technologies, arts and humanities, english, mathematics and PE. 

16+ (KS5) 

In our final stage we look to develop the abilities of young people to practically apply their personal social communication skills in a manner that will help them transfer into further education or the world of work at 18/19. As with the previous phase we offer specialist facilities for vocational courses delivered on site (Catering, Land Based Studies, Practical Skills and Functional Skills) and college link support for those looking at transition into the mainstream setting.
 

"Features of all the outstanding lessons observed are the high quality of questioning techniques used by staff, very good subject knowledge, rigorous planning, good understanding of pupils’ prior learning, high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and extremely well-matched tasks and activities." Ofsted