Magdalen Court School

This is a special school for learners with EHCPs, including SEMH, communication and interaction needs; many learners are autistic and/or have ADHD.

“Magdalen Court School is a Special School that caters for 150 students aged 5-18. We provide education and care for pupils with SEMH needs presenting as high-level anxiety school refusal. Many of our learners are autistic and/ or ADHD. All of our learners have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and have needs within all four areas of need. Of significance for our learners are their Communication & Interaction and Social Emotional & Mental Health needs.”

Every admitted learner has an EHCP or is in the process of receiving one, and most placements are commissioned through local-authority SEND support.

“Every learner admitted to our school has an EHCP or is in the process of receiving one. The majority of our learners are offered a placement through the consultation process with a local authority. They are commissioned by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support team.”

The school states that it is committed to keeping every child safe and placing the child at the centre of its work.

“We are delighted to welcome you to our school community. At Magdalen Court School we are committed to keeping every child safe, with the child at the centre of everything that we do.”

The school works with parents, stakeholders and relevant professionals, and treats each learner as an individual.

“We work in partnership with parents and all other stakeholders and other relevant professionals. We treat each learner as an individual and provide learning opportunities to engage learners wherever they are in their learning journey.”

Learners can follow mixed vocational and academic accreditation including GCSE, BTEC, Entry-level and Functional Skills.

“Some learners follow a GCSE pathway, others follow a mix of GCSE, BTEC, Entry-level and Functional Skills.”

Outdoor education contributes to learners' development and wellbeing and includes John Muir and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

“We value the outdoors and the valuable contribution it can bring to our learner’s development, including an accreditation pathway as well as including the John Muir and Duke of Edinburgh Awards. But also, we value the contribution the outdoors brings to positive health and well-being.”

The curriculum includes a comprehensive careers programme and work-experience opportunities.

“We have a comprehensive careers programme as well as work experience opportunities.”

The school’s values centre on health and happiness, kindness and independence, and respect and resilience, with an emphasis on learners feeling safe, valued, and supported.

“Health & HappinessKindness & Independence Respect & Resilience”

Safeguarding is described as the school's priority and foundational to everything it does.

“At Magdalen Court School, safeguarding is our priority and underpins everything we do.”

Accreditation routes include GCSEs, BTECs, Entry-level qualifications and Functional Skills.

“Some learners follow a GCSE pathway, others follow a mix of GCSE, BTEC, Entry-level and Functional Skills.”

Some learners take a Preparing for Adulthood pathway focused on personal development and independence.

“Some learners focus on a Preparing for Adulthood pathway where they have a greater focus on personal development, including increasing their independence skills.”

Admissions generally proceed through local-authority consultation for learners with an EHCP or one in progress.

“Every learner admitted to our school has an EHCP or is in the process of receiving one. The majority of our learners are offered a placement through the consultation process with a local authority.”

The school receives local-authority consultations based on either local-authority or parental preference.

“Our school receives consultations from the local authority. These can be either through local authority preference or as parental preference.”

Some learners progressed to ROC and Bicton colleges.

“Some learners have also moved on to other colleges such as ROC and Bicton.”

Learners progressed to Exeter and Petroc College for A levels, entry-level and level 1 courses, as well as apprenticeships.

“This year our learners have moved onto Exeter and Petroc College to study a range of courses including A levels, entry level and level 1 courses as well as apprenticeships.”