Bettridge School

This community special school serves pupils who all have EHCPs, most with severe or profound learning difficulties.

“All pupils have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Most pupils have severe or profound learning difficulties.”

Pupils require an Education Health and Care Plan before being referred to Bettridge.

“Pupils will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) before a referral is made to Bettridge.”

The school uses pupil data to provide appropriate pastoral care.

“to provide appropriate pastoral care”

Jo Bleasdale is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and is supported by deputy designated safeguarding leads.

“Jo Bleasdale is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and is supported by Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL’s) as set out below.”

Children are taught in small groups by a class teacher.

“Children are taught in small groups by a class teacher.”

The school offers personalised learning in a safe, supportive environment.

“We provide an individualised, creative and exciting learning pathway for pupils between the ages of 4 and 19 within a safe and supportive environment.”

The school aims to provide an aspirational and nurturing environment.

“Providing an aspirational and nurturing environment”

Bettridge is among the special-school Post-16 units that may provide a place when the local college cannot meet an individual learner's needs.

“If it is felt Gloucestershire College is not suitable and they cannot meet the needs of an individual then a place at one of the Special School Post 16 units, including Bettridge, may be sought.”

Specialist SEND provision serves children and young people aged 4 to 19.

“We are a specialist provision catering for 148 children and young people from the age of 4 to 19 with Special Educational Needs within the areas of Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning and Sensory and/or Physical needs.”

Admission follows a Local Authority referral, and pupils must have an EHCP before referral.

“Pupils are admitted to the school following a referral from the Local Authority. This referral is made by a panel from the Local Authority who consider the reports and information submitted by a range of professionals including Educational Psychologists, Advisory Skills Teachers, Health Professionals and Professionals from Social Services. Pupils will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) before a referral is made to Bettridge.”

Placement depends on individual need, with referrals decided jointly with the Local Authority.

“Each request for a place at Bettridge School will be dependent upon the individual child’s needs and all referrals are decided in conjunction with the Local Authority.”

Learners leaving Post 16 at the end of Year 14 either progress to a Post-19 provider or transition into adult life with support.

“Post 16 learners who leave at the end of Year 14 will either continue their education at a post 19 provider or transition into adult life with appropriate support.”

Most learners leave after Year 11, commonly progressing to Gloucestershire College, while alternatives include special-school Post-16 units or an out-of-county specialist school.

“The majority of learners leave Bettridge School at the end of Year 11. For a large group of our learners the next stage in their education will be provided by the local college, Gloucestershire College. If it is felt Gloucestershire College is not suitable and they cannot meet the needs of an individual then a place at one of the Special School Post 16 units, including Bettridge, may be sought. In a minority of cases a place at an out of county specialist school may be appropriate.”