The Priory Lodge School. School Prospectus. Unique services for unique young people

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1 is a specialist day school for boys and girls aged 7 to 19 with high functioning autism and associated learning difficulties. THE LODGE SCHOOL Welcome to is a specialist day school for boys and girls aged 7 to 19 with high functioning autism, Asperger s syndrome and associated learning difficulties. has been specifically designed to allow children and young people at the higher end of the autistic spectrum to thrive within an ever demanding and complex society. opened in May 2010 as a purpose built day school in South West London. We aim to offer an alternative to residential education where students can develop independence and social skills whilst living in their home environment. We aim to deliver the highest level of education and care according to individual need in a safe, positive and structured environment in which every student is encouraged to achieve the best possible academic, social and vocational outcomes. Before attending Priory Lodge many students may have been out of education for considerable periods of time. It is our aim to encourage our children to be happy to attend school on a daily basis, with the help and support of other young people and our dedicated team of staff. School Prospectus We provide: Purpose built education facilities for young people with autism and Asperger s Syndrome in an urban setting A culture in which students feel safe, secure and valued An alternative to residential education with day and extended day options Close working relationships with parents Integrated care, education and therapy programmes Small teaching groups High staff:pupil ratios Access to a wide range of therapies including speech and language and occupational therapy Placements can provide day places for up to 40 students. Placements are flexible and for 38 weeks of the year. Unique services for unique young people

2 Our aim Our aim is to bring about the best in every student to enable them to receive a positive educational experience and to progress according to their own individual skills and abilities. We offer a whole school approach to the curriculum. This provides structure and routine, a modified environment and learning processes, experienced and qualified staff and development in independence training, self help, communication, social and leisure skills. Education adopts a multidisciplinary approach to education using the best practice models such as TEACCH and active learning programmes. Students will learn how to develop effective compensatory strategies to overcome their difficulties in social and emotional processing, communication and flexibility in thinking and behaviour. All students have access to the National Curriculum, which is adapted and modified according to the individual needs and abilities of each student. Teaching takes place in one of the specially designed classrooms in small groups of up to six students, to ensure that learning support is provided for every individual. The design of the school and the structure of the educational programmes are created to reduce social and sensory bombardment and create an autism friendly environment. Close family communication is encouraged to promote consistency in each young person s personal development. Whole school aims offers a whole school approach to the curriculum and provides: Structure and routines throughout the day to enable students to predict events and understand what is required of them, helping to reduce anxiety Environment and learning processes modified to promote individual achievement An experienced and trained staff team who seek to view the world through the students eyes in order to understand how they think and learn Learning from the position and needs of the student at an individual level Development in independence training, self-help skills, communication skills, social skills and leisure skills: with the ultimate aim of enabling each young person to achieve his or her potential for living independently Close family communication to promote consistency in each young person s progress and development Students engage in physical activities throughout the week in line with the National Curriculum, making full use of the local environment and facilities. These opportunities are designed to build stamina, whilst reducing excess energy and anxiety. Our teaching approach provides both physical and visual learning opportunities and helps students to achieve their full potential by understanding their limitations, but also making the most of their abilities. It is an important part of our mission at the Priory Lodge to build and promote self-confidence and self-esteem by building on students strengths. Individual Education Plans Individual education plans (IEPs) are implemented to develop communication, personal and social education skills. Behaviour Support Plans Every young person has a personalised behaviour support plan to empower them to manage and accept respsonsibilty for their own behaviour. All staff are trained in de-escalation and Team Teach positive handling physical intervention techniques. For information on our specialist education and care services: Please call us on: Send an to: thepriorylodgeschool@priorygroup.com Or visit our website: Priory Lane, London, SW15 5JJ Tel: Fax: thepriorylodgeschool@priorygroup.com PG02279/Feb11

3 Curriculum The core purpose of the curriculum is to promote and underpin skills in literacy and communication, numeracy, ICT and personal, social, health and citizenship education. Young people also have access to a range of accredited courses such as GCSEs and vocational courses to prepare them for the next stage of their education. The curriculum is designed to provide rich learning experiences that reflect individual needs, abilities and interests. During the school day students have access to the National Curriculum through materials including QCDA schemes of work. THE LODGE SCHOOL These materials are used by teachers to plan and teach in ways that enable students to achieve in all areas. Students learn in small, well-equipped classes of up to six and are grouped together by Key Stage. A wide range of subjects are offered and classrooms include specialist facilities for art, science, food technology, music and information communication technology (ICT). Curriculum aims: To advance the education, self-esteem and confidence of young people with autism To meet each pupil s needs through a personalised learning programme that is implemented and supported across the disciplines of education and specialist skills To offer the National Curriculum and accreditation appropriate to each pupil s needs To ensure continuity and progression in every pupil s learning and development from both a day-to-day and year-to-year perspective To ensure that the individual needs of each pupil are identified and appropriate targets are set and reviewed in his or her individual education plan (IEP) School Prospectus Therapeutic input Students have access to a range of therapies including speech and language and occupational therapy. We have a dedicated therapy studio and one-to-one therapy work rooms. The location of The Priory Lodge School means that it is uniquely placed to benefit from the breadth of therapy and specialist mental health services provided at the Priory Hospital Roehampton, whilst also working with the CAMHS unit and experienced educational psychologists. Developing independent living skills We aim to develop independence for every individual according to their own abilities. Skills will include: Strategies for handling anxieties Ability to minimise and handle distress Strategies for appropriate behaviour in all settings Ability to make individual choices Ability to cook Ability to travel independently Subjects include: English and communication Mathematics Information communication technology (ICT) Science Personal, social, health and citizenship education Global knowledge and well being: history, geography, religious education Physical education Well being: music, art and design, design technology and food technology Media studies ASDAN Modern foreign languages Unique services for unique young people

4 Priory Lodge School Post 16 provision has a specialist post 16 provision for students aged 16 to 19 who wish to continue their education in an environment specifically designed to accommodate young people with autistic spectrum disorders and Asperger s Syndrome. The post 16 curriculum is tailored to students individual needs and ambitions to allow them to achieve their goals and independence skills. The focus here is on preparing young people for their transition into adulthood and integration into the community. Students can also develop their independence skills through work experience and further education courses. Priory Lodge post 16 provision can provide both day and extended day options for 38 weeks of the year. Pathway plans for our young people take into account their particular vulnerabilities and life skills programmes are developed for young people according to their individual needs and abilities. Priory Lodge School Post 16 provision provides: Facilities specifically designed for young people aged 16 to 19 with high functioning autism, Asperger s syndrome and associated learning difficulties Highly qualified and experienced staff Recognition of individual choices and preferences through tailor made education and independence programmes Opportunities for further education and college placements Encouragement for a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise Transition planning to move to less supported environments Access to a range of therapies Preparation and access to work experience through a range of strategies Environment As a new DFE approved facility, our post 16 provision will build on the caring and safe environment of the school. Young people are encouraged to use the local natural environment as educational material, take advantage of the sport and recreational facilities whilst making the transition into adulthood to progress to a more independent living environment. Tailored education options In-house courses are available for GCSE retakes and AS/A2 levels. Vocational and work-related courses such as BTEC National Diplomas and Certificates can be taken at one of the selected local colleges through flexible support packages. Accredited and non-accredited courses in life skills and other vocational subjects are also available and students will be encouraged to undertake work placements and work-related learning to develop confidence, interaction and social skills, together with preparing them for work and further study. Young people will have regular opportunities to use their social skills inthe local community through off-site educational activities such as bowling, horse riding, swimming, walking and sports. The school has good transport links in to central London to enable access to a range of educational, cultural and social experiences. Outcomes The desired outcome is for young people to achieve success in accredited qualifications and to gain increased levels of independence to enable them to maximise their strengths and ambitions. Individual plans and programmes are tailored to individual needs to ensure that every young person is challenged to progress at a speed that is appropriate for them. For information on our specialist education and care services: Please call us on: Send an to: thepriorylodgeschool@priorygroup.com Or visit our website: Priory Lane, London, SW15 5JJ Tel: Fax: thepriorylodgeschool@priorygroup.com PG02280/Feb11

5 Environment and facilities THE is situated in the grounds of the Priory Hospital Roehampton, in new, purpose built premises close to Richmond Park and only seven miles from central London, allowing easy accessibility from the A3, M3, M4, M25 and M40. The spacious and modern building has been specifically designed to accommodate young people with autistic spectrum disorders and Asperger s Syndrome. LODGE SCHOOL Classrooms have been planned and designed for specialist subjects including information technology, art, food technology, science and music, together with specially designed areas for therapy and sensory zones. The urban environment of plays an important part in the holistic experience of our young people. Set within the hospital grounds on the edge of Richmond Park, students have access to a wide range of activities and facilities including outdoor adventure, physical education, environmental, cultural and social. This provides students with the opportunity to gain a real-life learning experience which helps them to make sense of the world in which they live. enables students to: Learn to manage their behaviour and cope with anxieties in an urban environment Develop strategies to manage every day living Develop independence, social and communication skills Become empowered to make their own choices in life School Prospectus Parental involvement works to establish a close partnership with parents in order to support the healthy progression of students and to enable individuals and their families to get the best out of the school and the curriculum. We aim to keep parents well informed of their child s progress throughout each term. We also welcome active participation in child development programmes to ensure individual success. School policies and procedures Information about the school s policies and procedures regarding the welfare of children is available upon request. These include the following: Academic performance in preceding years Anti-bullying Child protection Complaints procedure Complaints records in preceding years Curriculum English as an additional language Equal opportunities Exclusion Health and safety Ofsted report Promotion of good behaviour and sanctions Special educational needs Staff list and qualifications Statement of purpose Unique services for unique young people

6 Assessment and admission criteria The purpose of the assessment is to determine the educational, behavioural, social and therapeutic needs of the individual and if these can be met by s approach. The first full individual education plan (IEP) is based on this initial assessment and includes a detailed programme designed to enable each individual to work towards, with specific attainable goals. To begin the assessment process we request referral papers and a history of the child s schooling. Admissions criteria The criteria for admission to The Priory Lodge School: A diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder/asperger s syndrome or evidence of behaviours which are in accordance with such a diagnosis. Young people are likely to be of average or above ability who are unable to thrive in a mainstream school setting because of their autistic spectrum disorder. Appropriate family commitment to supporting and maintaining programmes at home. does not discriminate and considers referrals from all cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Admissions procedure believes that all children with special educational needs, whose parents or local authority wish it, should have a right to be considered as appropriate for assessment for admission. Students will be assessed against the admission criteria for. Admission process Child s Statement of Special Education Need is matched to the admission criteria. Senior managers from arrange to meet the child, their parents/carers and teachers to review in detail any additional paperwork associated with the education and care of the child. If outcomes of this review indicate that The Priory Lodge School is a suitable placement the next stge will follow. An offer of an assessent period is made during which the students experience of the school is evaluated. If outcomes of this assessment place are positive the next stage will follow. The student will be offered a permanent place at. A final offer of admission cannot be completed until the student has undergone a 12-week assessment place. Decisions about the school s suitability for the child are made by drawing on the conclusions of a range of reports and information as well as on the assessment carried out by the school. For information on our specialist education and care services: Please call us on: Send an to: thepriorylodgeschool@priorygroup.com Or visit our website: Priory Lane, London, SW15 5JJ Tel: Fax: thepriorylodgeschool@priorygroup.com PG02281/Feb11