My teacher is funny, I like computers, I like football in the gym. I like to play with my friends.

Henry aged 10

 Through a policy of close liaison with our other child centered departments we aim to offer an individual education programme for each pupil.

Pupils are taught in small groups by fully qualified teachers, many of whom have additional qualifications in various aspects of Special Needs, and are assisted by at least one teaching assistant. In addition to the light, spacious, airy classrooms, there is the specialist provision of a Science Laboratory, Food Technology Room, ICT Suite, Design Technology Room, Art Studio, a fully equipped Gymnasium, an adventure playground and a 20m indoor swimming pool with learners' area and wheel-chair access. A range of teaching methods are employed appropriate to the needs of all the pupils. Signing, in conjunction with the spoken word, is used throughout the school.

St Mary's offers a broad and balanced curriculum based on the National Curriculum and including the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies at Key Stages 2 and 3. Every pupil's educational needs are considered individually and the curriculum differentiated accordingly.

The National Curriculum subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Physical Education (PE), ICT, Technology, Art and Music form the basis of the curriculum. Other subjects include Religious Education (RE) and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), including our specially formulated life skills programme, sex education programme and careers guidance. The ASDAN Youth Award Scheme provides the structure of PSHE lessons in Key Stage 4 and in Key Stage 3 the ASDAN Key Steps Scheme is used. Classrooms are well equipped with computers and relevant software where ICT forms an integral part of every subject across the curriculum. Pupils are taught in a stimulating and varied environment where they are encouraged to reach their full potential. At Key Stage 4 pupils follow either Entry Level exam courses or a more practical life skills orientated curriculum accredited through the ASDAN Youth Award Scheme.

Twice yearly, ‘Culture Days' provide the children with the opportunity to learn about the people, history, geography and culture of other countries. All the children and departments are involved in an intensive investigation into the lives and culture of others. Once a year the whole Trust is involved in a ‘Day of Wonder' that encourages pupils to appreciate the spirituality of the world in which they live.

Pupils have opportunities to participate in a variety of sporting and musical activities in the wider community. The school runs lunchtime and after school clubs for special interest groups.

Within six weeks of a pupil arriving at St Mary's, an initial Individual Educational Plan (IEP) is constructed. The purpose of this is to provide an environment for the education, therapy, care and general management of children with communication disorders who may also have an overlay of other complex needs. The programmes not only define strategies for classroom-based needs, but also include strategies from the therapists, care and medical staff. The ‘educational' needs of a child are carefully balanced with their therapeutic needs, their need to acquire life skills, and their ability to interact with others. The programmes are interpreted and expressed jointly in order that they deal with children in an integrated way. The IEP is an internal working document and is reviewed and amended twice a year by those key staff in the child's life at school. Parents are invited to contribute to the agenda of the meetings.

Statements of Special Needs are reviewed annually in line with current legislation and good practice, and the recommendations of the Code of Practice. Parents and children are invited to attend and contribute to the review documentation in addition to reports from all of the relevant staff and Local Education Authority professionals.

Teachers each have a curriculum responsibility which is usually based on their initial teaching qualification or an interest in that particular subject. This allows for schemes of work to be devised by the member of staff responsible for that area of the curriculum, thus ensuring progression through the required programme of study. It also allows for the class teacher to ensure that the individual pupil's needs are addressed by modifying and differentiating curriculum components as necessary. Most staff have a ‘class teacher' responsibility, and may teach a range of subjects.

Each of the specialist subjects is managed by teachers with both specialist training and a wealth of experience in that area.

For those in Key Stage 4 (14-16 years old) the school has developed close links with the community to enable periods of vocational experiences to take place in a range of settings.

The Trust has an Audiology Department, staffed by a qualified Teacher of Hearing Impaired Children. It is fully equipped to carry out testing and assessment procedures, and to maintain and monitor the use of a range of audiological equipment including personal hearing aids, cochlear implants, radio aids and Soundfield Systems. The philosophy and practice of the department rests in the belief that it is essential that all hearing impaired pupils have the opportunity to make best possible use of their residual hearing at all times and in all situations.

All hearing impaired pupils attending St Mary's have a full audiological screening assessment annually. Other children may be referred by staff for a full assessment if required. Daily checks take place and problems dealt with as they arise. There are regular checks of hearing aid performance, ear mould fit and middle ear function. Where necessary, hearing impaired pupils are given additional support by the specialist teacher, either within the classroom, in a small group, or on an individual basis.