Elm Court School

Elm Court is a special school for pupils aged 11–19 with learning difficulties and associated social and communication needs.

“Elm Court School, part of the Elm Court Livity Federation, is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 years who have learning difficulties with associated social and communication needs.”

All admitted pupils must have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

“All pupils admitted to Elm Court School must have an Education, Health and Care Plan.”

Pupils learn emotional self-regulation, wellbeing and mindfulness to develop resilience and kindness.

“Pupils learn to self-regulate their emotions through being taught the ‘Zones of Regulation’. There is a focus on wellbeing and mindfulness practice is also taught. These aspects help to build pupils’ resilience and kindness towards others.”

The school commits to maintaining a strong whole-school safeguarding culture.

“Elm Court School is committed to creating and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture throughout the school.”

The qualification offer includes vocational awards and specialist drama, performance and music qualifications.

“They may study for GCSEs and vocational qualifications such as BTEC, NCFE, Gateway, Sports and Dance Leadership. Pupils may also complete London Academy of Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and Trinity College London (TCL) qualifications in drama, performance and music.”

The sixth form provides regular vocational and practical learning, including horticulture, cooking and small-business experience.

“Every Wednesday, sixth-form students spend the day learning a range of vocational and practical skills.”

The school offers a wide range of after-school clubs and extracurricular activities.

“We offer a wide range of after school clubs and extra curricular-activities.”

One day each week is dedicated to cultural, employability and life-enhancing activities, including opportunities to work toward the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“Sixth Form also has a day a week dedicated to experiencing cultural, employability, life-enhancing visits, workshops and the opportunity to work towards a Duke of Edinburgh award.”

The curriculum is intended to support personal development and prepare pupils to become independent, successful adults.

“- Provides many opportunities for their own personal development - Prepares them as best we can to become independent and successful adults.”

The school centres excellence, achievement and personal development on preparing pupils for adulthood.

“This is a school where excellence is built into all that it does. From promoting pupils’ social and emotional well-being, and helping them manage their own behaviour, to the curriculum, everything is centred on the preparation for adulthood.”

The school has a thriving sixth form in which pupils follow individual timetables.

“We have a thriving sixth form where pupils follow individual timetables”

The sixth form offers a broad range of pathway courses across creative, vocational, technical and life-skills subjects.

“In the Sixth Form (Key Stage 5 – years 12,13 and 14), students may also choose from a range of available ‘pathways’ options courses. Pathway options for Key Stage 5 include art and design, childcare, creative craft (in school and off-site), dance, digital media, drama, hair and beauty, home cooking/professional cookery, horticulture, humanities, information and communication technology, introduction to public services, lifeskills, music and sport and leisure.”

Admissions are managed through Lambeth SEN, including coordination with other boroughs' SEN departments.

“All admissions are via the Lambeth SEN department. We currently have pupils from a number of other London boroughs. If you live in another London borough, you must ask their SEN department to consult with Lambeth SEN and ourselves.”

The admissions panel assesses whether the school can meet each pupil's special educational needs.

“All referrals are considered by our admissions panel and an initial decision will be made as to whether or not we feel Elm Court can meet the special educational needs of the pupil.”

The school aims to prepare pupils for further education, training or employment.

“We aim for all pupils to leave Elm Court well-prepared for the next stage in their education, training or for moving onto employment.”

Pupils are prepared to progress to further education, training, or employment.

“We aim for all pupils to leave Elm Court well prepared for the next stage in their education, training or for moving onto employment.”

The school was judged outstanding for overall effectiveness in February 2019 and maintained the previously identified standards at its October 2024 inspection.

“This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding for overall effectiveness in February 2019.”