Special Schools

The demands made on special schools are unique, but many of the features of great schools which inform our work with primaries and secondaries, also apply to this distinctive group of schools:

Building leadership capacity all levels across the school
Creating a learning environment informed by shared and clearly articulated values
Effective use of data to inform next steps in learning
Strong partnerships with families to inform the learning process

Our work with special schools started in 2005 with a collaboration with two innovative and highly regarded special schools in Essex. These schools recognised that to improve their effectiveness and to advance achievement for their students, they needed to build better systems, develop their staff create an environment in which all students were able to realise their full potential.

Today, that group now extends to six schools and has seen significant advances in outcomes and in inspection outcomes. One example is Southview School in Witham which has advanced from an Ofsted category to an outstanding judgement in just a few years.

If you have any questions and would like to discuss how EdisonLearning can help and support Special Schools please contact us on 01376 562953.

Special Schools Feedback

"There is a strong emphasis on improving learning and teaching with a very effective culture of modelling effective approaches."

Ofsted 2010 - Northamptonshire Secondary School

"Teaching is now consistently good and often outstanding. Challenging targets are set, with pupils on track to reach above average standards...

As a result of the leaders’ focus on equality, there are no variations in the progress made by any groups of pupils, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities"

Whitehills - Ofsted January 2009

Special Schools - Evidence & Impact

The Quality Framework in action - Southview Special School

Two teachers describe their experience.

Southview School celebrates international award

Southview School was one of one of only three schools honoured within an international family of schools, one of two in the UK and the only special school to receive an award.