The Mendip School Statement of Commitment
The Mendip School is committed to developing the academic and life skills of all its pupils and students to enable them to lead safe, happy and purposeful lives, contributing economically and socially to society.
The Mendip schools aim is to replicate the innovative, highly regarded and successful approaches developed at Fosse Way School. Creating a high quality alternative to a mainstream provision in which children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) from ages 4-19 will thrive.
Towards these ends our school:
- strives to ensure pupils and students achieve high academic and social standards
- creates a personalised and enjoyable learning experience for each student
- encourages creativity and enterprise
- values the diversity of pupil and student learning and outcomes
- embraces new technology and innovation
- works in partnership with other agencies and organisations
Our Vision
The Mendip School’s vision and ethos will be reflected through its curriculum and will provide:
- a high quality alternative to mainstream provision in which children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) across the 4-19 age range will thrive
- aspirational adult outcomes for all its pupils
- a broad and balanced curriculum aimed at creating an educational experience that is focused upon and therefore prepares pupils for adult life. The curriculum offer will conform to national government expectations, catering for a broad range of abilities through providing a number of learning pathways that lead to a variety of post school destinations
- a physical environment and teaching approaches that have been created in response to sensitivity to the particular needs of children with autism
- a wide range of opportunities to access external agencies such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy to support individual needs
- an inclusive environment in which pupils feel safe, confident, are happy and make outstanding progress academically, socially and in the development of their independence skills
- strong partnerships with the families of pupils and collaboration with a range of other agencies, creating a caring and friendly learning environment in which pupils make outstanding progress
- a school which is socially viable, enabling pupils to make friendship choices from within their own peer groups
- the ‘all-through’ aspect of the school will create for pupils, continuity and familiarity of environment, ensuring stress-free transitions as pupils progress through their school life
- support services to the families of its pupils
- a positive choice for parents
Statement of Provision
The Mendip School is a special free school which provides 120 places for children in the age range 4 – 19 years with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
For a child to be admitted, the school must be named, by a local authority, in the child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Parents wishing their children to benefit from our provision should ask their local authority to name our school in their child’s statement or EHCP.
Our school provides small teaching groups, usually led by more than one member of staff. All classroom staff have received specialist training in the teaching of children with Autism and SLCN. The curriculum is broad and balanced, differentiated according to need and aimed at creating an educational experience that prepares pupils for adult life. The curriculum offer also conforms to national government expectations. Our pupils represent a very wide range of abilities and in response the curriculum provides a number of pathways that lead to a variety of post school destinations. A strong emphasis upon a vocational approach to our curriculum creates opportunities for our pupils to develop those skills which will be important to them in adult life. For some pupils this may mean a focus upon independence skills whilst for others academic qualifications provide the key to access post-16 Further Education courses.
For further information about the process of obtaining a place at The Mendip School contact:
Paula Watts
Phone: 01761 404203
Email: pwatts@themendipschool.com
The Curriculum
All pupils at The Mendip School have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. The curriculum offer is tailored to meet the individual needs of the pupils
The curriculum consists of:
- Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum
- the National Curriculum, differentiated to meet the needs of individual pupils
- Personal, Social, Health and Moral Education, including Citizenship and Careers Education
- Religious Education
A range of Nationally Accredited Courses and qualifications will be offered to pupils at The Mendip School
Students at Key Stage 4 and Post 16 follow a combination of the following courses:
GCSE Art, Design Technology, English, Maths, Science, The Project Qualification, Performing Arts
BTEC Award / Certificate Vocational Studies
BTEC Award / Certificate in Hair and Beauty
BTEC Award in Independence and Work Skills
Level 1/2 Cambridge Nationals in ICT
Entry Level in Maths, English, Science, Food Technology, Design Technology, History, ICT, PE, Personal Progress
Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
Functional Skills ICT, Maths, English.
ASDAN Towards Independence
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Employability Qualification (Entry Level – Level 2)
Careers Education
Careers education aims to
- develop knowledge, skills and attitudes
- inform educational and vocational choices
Students in Y9, 10, 11 and Post 16 have a transition plan in line with the Code of Practice
Parents can discuss their child’s career aspirations at any time.
A Connexions Personal Advisor visits the school on a regular basis. The personal Advisor works with both individual and groups of students.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Religious Education has a special status as part of the basic curriculum and has equal standing in relation to the core and other foundation subjects
- Religious Education is formally timetabled as a subject in its own right
- assemblies are held daily within class bases or as key stage collective worship
- final assembly each week provides an opportunity for individual pupils to share their achievements with the whole school
Sport
The main aims of the sport curriculum are:
- to enable all pupils to develop their physical skills, appropriate to their individual capabilities
- to emphasis performance, working with others, health and hygiene, safety and the ability to plan and review work
A wide range of activities are offered, ranging from more traditional sports such as football, tag rugby, tennis and swimming through to cycling, boccia and hill-walking. Sports competitions will also be arranged within the school.
Homework
Homework encompasses a variety of activities and expectations matching the very broad range of ages and abilities of children attending the school.
Homework can include independence and social skills requiring parent/carer support.
Therapies
Therapists working at The Mendip School include:
- Speech
- Occupational
- Music
- Physiotherapy
- Drama
Policies
Policies available on the school website:
- Behaviour Policy (including Anti-Bullying Policy).
- Health & Safety Policy
- Child Protection Policy
Behaviour Policy
At The Mendip School we
- expect high standards of behaviour and work at all times
- take a positive approach to behaviour
- encourage pupils to show consideration and care for people and property.
Anti-bullying Policy
The Mendip School does not tolerate bullying in any of its forms.
The anti-bullying policy is available to parents on request, or on the website.
Pastoral Care
- all pupils have a form tutor
- tutor time is built into the timetable
- the Principal is available for more complex matters
- the Principal operates an ‘open door’ policy
Equal Opportunities
It is The Mendip School’s intention to develop attitudes and ways of behaving which respect individuals regardless of their ability, colour, culture, gender or social circumstances.
The school is unequivocally opposed to any form of discrimination and it seeks to form a partnership with pupils, staff, governors and parents to combat ignorance and prejudicial attitudes both in school and in the community as a whole.
Parental Involvement
We believe the best team is the child, the parent and the teacher working together.
Parents are invited into school three times a year to discuss their child’s progress or review the statement and complete a care plan. A home visit can be made at the request of parents or may be suggested by a member of staff. There are parents evenings and open days during the year.
There are several events during the year to which parents are invited by letter. We are always grateful for your support.
We always contact parents immediately if we are concerned about any aspect of their child’s welfare, progress or behaviour. We hope that parents will let us know of any problems or anxieties which might affect their child, at an early stage.
Complaints Procedure
Our Complaints Procedure is available in full from the school.
We believe there is a free flow of information between home and school but recognise there may be times when misunderstandings arise. You may be concerned about aspects of your child’s progress or you may be unhappy about a particular event or activity which you have heard has taken place. In any event, it is important you do not keep a problem or concern to yourself but approach the school.
The first point of contact for a specific concern should always be the appropriate teacher. If you are not sure who is most appropriate, explain the concern to your child’s class teacher, or tutor, who will be able to suggest whom it is best to speak to.
It is preferable if you can agree a time a place to discuss your concerns in peace and quiet rather than at a time when the teacher concerned is possibly surrounded by other children and/or parents. This could be a telephone conversation at an agreed time.
We would expect most problems to be sorted out in this informal way by a frank and open discussion, free from distraction.
Please remember that all members of staff wish to help reassure you by listening to you and helping you.
Sometimes you may still feel dissatisfied with the outcome of your discussions and want to take the matter further. If you are in this situation you may wish to make an appointment to see a Senior Member of staff or the Principal.
If, following your informal discussions, you wish an investigation to be undertaken by the school, you should put your concerns in writing to the Principal. The Principal will at this point ensure you are fully aware of the formal procedure.
Parents also have the right to put their complaint in writing directly to Ofsted.
Enquiries
National Business Unit
Ofsted
5th, 6th and 7th Floors
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
Or you can fill in an online complaints form at www.ofsted.gov.uk/onlinecomplaints
Tel: 0300 1234 234 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Dress Code
We believe that school uniform helps us to encourage an atmosphere of work rather than leisure.
Therefore we do not allow casual clothes to be worn in school.
Further details will be available in the ‘Welcome Pack’ that is sent to you before your child starts school.
Transport
Transport is provided free by the home local authority for all pupils attending the school in line with its own home to school transport policy. Within the first year some of these costs will be met by The Mendip School whilst it is on Fosse Way School site.
School Contact Details
The Mendip School
Edmund Rack Road
Prestleigh
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 4FZ
01749 838040
Principal: Mrs Emily Massey
Chair of Governors: Mrs Amanda Lear
SCHOOL TERM AND HOLIDAY DATES
2019/20 Academic Year
| TERM 1 | ||
| Start: | Wednesday 4th September 2019 | |
| Finish: |
Friday 25 October 2019 |
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| TERM 2 | ||
| Start: |
Monday 4 November 2019 |
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| Finish: |
Friday 20 December 2019 |
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| TERM 3 | ||
| Start: |
Monday 6 January 2020 |
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| Finish: |
Friday 14 February 2020 |
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| TERM 4 | ||
| Start: |
Tuesday 25 February 2020 |
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| Finish: |
Thursday 2 April 2020 |
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| TERM 5 | ||
| Start: |
Monday 20 April 2020 |
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| Finish: |
Friday 22 May 2020 |
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| TERM 6 | ||
| Start: |
Monday 1 June 2020 |
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| Finish: |
Thursday 17 July 2020 |
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| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | ||
| 25 December 2020 |
Christmas Day |
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| 26 December 2020 |
Boxing Day |
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| 01 January 2020 |
New Year’s Holiday |
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| 10 April 2020 |
Good Friday |
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| 13 April 2020 |
Easter Monday |
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| 04 May 2020 |
May Day Bank Holiday |
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| 25 May 2020 |
Spring Bank Holiday |
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