The Avenue Special School

The Avenue is a day special school for children aged 2-19 with complex SEN; all pupils have an EHC Plan.

“The Avenue Special Needs Academy is a day special school for children aged 2 - 19 with complex Special Educational Needs. All of our pupils have an Education and Health Care Plan.”

Small classes averaging eight to twelve pupils, each with a Class Lead, Teaching Assistant and Support Assistants.

“We have small classes, ranging on average from eight to twelve pupils. Each class will have a Class Lead, a Teaching Assistant and Support Assistants.”

Students have access to a full-time Well-Being Coordinator who provides individual and group support using strategies like mindfulness and massage, alongside PSHE and RSE lessons.

“We support students to be aware of and manage their own physical and mental health as independently as possible. Students learn about healthy living, are encouraged to exercise and have access to a full time Well-Being Coordinator who advises individuals and groups on strategies such as mindfulness, Aromatouch and massage.”

Transition arrangements for new pupils are highly individualised, including visits and social stories.

“Transition plans are highly individualised and typically include your child visiting the school, our staff visiting your child’s current setting, and social stories / photos of the school.”

All sixth formers participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, promoting social interaction, team building, outdoor learning and new skills.

“All sixth formers participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which promotes social interaction and team building, enables extended outdoor learning and facilitates the acquisition of new physical and practical skills.”

Students take part in enterprise activities including an award-winning student business, and undergo visits to education and training establishments as part of the careers programme.

“The school’s award-winning enterprise, ‘The Thoughtful Bubble Company’, offers work experience opportunities including soap making, accounting and customer service.”

School ethos is based on PACE: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy.

“Our curriculum offer runs parallel with our school ethos of PACE – Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy.”

The school describes a strong sense of community, teaching students to be actively involved in local charities and community facilities.

“We have a strong sense of community at The Avenue School and we teach our students to have the same.”

The Avenue School's Sixth Form is a post-16 provision for students with special educational needs, with a curriculum personalised to each student's EHCP-defined long-term outcomes.

“The Avenue School Sixth Form caters for post-16 students with special educational needs. Our post-16 curriculum is highly personalised to the long term outcomes of the individual, as identified in the Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and through transition / adulthood planning.”

Sixth Form students work towards a blend of accreditations such as BTECs, Functional Skills, ASDAN Life Skills Challenges and AQA Unit Awards, chosen individually.

“Some of these qualifications are chosen by the students themselves (‘options’) and may include BTECs, Functional Skills, ASDAN Life Skills Challenges and AQA Unit Awards.”

Admissions go through Local Authority SEND Case Officers and termly admissions panels, not direct parent applications.

“If you would like to request a place at The Avenue School for your child, please speak with your LA SEND Case Officer who will talk you through the process We hold termly admissions panels and Local Authorities are invited to request placements through this process”

The school employs a full-time Level 6 Qualified Careers Leader, and students meet with an independent SEND careers adviser as part of the Careers Programme.

“The school employs a full time Level 6 Qualified Careers Leader. As part of our school’s Careers Programme, all students have the opportunity to meet with an independent SEND careers adviser.”