The School

Here at The Castle School we work with each individual young person to support their specific needs in order to develop their learning in an enjoyable and fun way. We will use a wide range of different strategies to ensure that the barriers to learning experienced by our young people do not prevent them from making the most of their time at school. We want their experience to be one they remember positively.

The Castle School caters for pupils between the ages of 2 and 19 in a range of provisions for age and need. Pupils with severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties and autism make up the majority of our learners. Pupils with moderate learning difficulties and some additional needs are mainly supported in the secondary part of the school. The Autism Resource classes provide an even more specialist education for those young people with severe autism.

Nursery age pupils have access to excellent high quality provision in our co-located class at Victoria Park Nursery and Children’s Centre about a mile from the main school site. The class is small with day sessions offered to children from 2 to 4 years. On one day a week nursery children visit the main school to access hydrotherapy and meet with other foundation stage children.

On the main school site at Love Lane the Primary House building is home to our Key stage 1 and some of our Key stage 2 pupils and older pupils with profound and multiple needs. Pupils access the Early Years Foundation curriculum until the end of Key stage 1 which allows the time to look at their whole developmental needs. Key stage 2 pupils work on an adapted National Curriculum relevant to their individual needs.

Also at Love Lane, In the Secondary House the older key stage 2 pupils and the secondary pupils aged 11 to 16 in Key stages 3 and 4 work in their class groups. Pupils will all work towards nationally accredited courses at a level appropriate to their needs. The school actively encourages pupils to participate in arts activities both in lessons and in lunchtime clubs and older students can work towards their Arts Award qualification.

Post 16 students are based at a new (2011) purpose-built centre adjacent to Newbury College at Monks Lane, Newbury. They can spend up to 3 years in our college working towards a more independent way of learning and taking part in activities preparing them for young adulthood. Enterprise and travel training are part of their curriculum wherever appropriate. Our "Busy Bees" (making and baking cakes for hospitality purposes) enterprise has increased its dividend for the past 3 years!

We welcome visits and would be delighted to show you around our school. We have a range of specialist facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, an outdoor music classroom, sensory rooms and a therapists’ centre which caters for children in school and others.

Please contact the school if you wish to make a visit.

 

Thanks,

 

Jon Hewitt

Headteacher

Back | TopPage last updated: 17/05/2012