St Mary's School & Sixth Form College

St Mary's is a non-maintained residential special school located in Bexhill, East Sussex, providing exceptional support to children aged 5 to 19 with speech, language, communication needs, and learning difficulties. Since 1922, we have been dedicated to ensuring that every pupil receives the integrated support needed to achieve their full potential and thrive within the community. We take pride in promoting independence at St Mary's, ensuring that pupils are supported to become as independent as possible.

Our approach is centred on fostering academic, personal, social, and moral development through an ambitious curriculum that emphasises communication, literacy, and functional mathematical skills. A key part of our work is ensuring that pupils receive formal accreditation and reach their maximum independence so they can be best prepared for the next steps in their education/adulthood. Our facilities include a swimming pool, library, sports hall, and specialised rooms for food technology, science, design technology, computing, and therapy support. This well-rounded environment enables students to engage in a broad curriculum while developing independence and life skills.

At St Mary's, the onsite therapy team; speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, work closely with education and residential staff to provide integrated support. This partnership ensures that pupils receive tailored interventions in both academic and residential settings, promoting their personal growth, emotional development, and resilience. Therapists provide in-depth assessments, individual therapy programs, and small group therapy sessions, working collaboratively with staff and families to develop skills that will support children throughout their lives.

As a total communication environment, we utilise various approaches to ensure all pupils have the means to succeed in developing communication skills. All staff are trained in Sign-Supported English, and we offer support for parents/carers to learn sign language, enabling them to engage with their child's learning at home. We also invest in advanced communication and learning technologies to further enhance pupils' educational experience.

Our residential facilities are designed to provide a supportive, homely environment where children can thrive. Each residential house includes a sitting room, kitchen, and dining areas, as well as recreation spaces. Pupils are encouraged to work on their independent living skills, including preparing meals, managing self-care, and planning leisure time. Our residential care team works with pupils to identify and achieve individual goals, in close collaboration with parents and carers.

St Mary's offers flexible residential opportunities, including weekly or fortnightly boarding, overnight respite, and short stays. Pupils are encouraged to participate in a range of activities, from local outings to sports and leisure activities, all of which help foster a sense of community and self-determination.

Parent and carer partnerships are a cornerstone of our work at St Mary's. We value and prioritise strong links between the school and families, working together to support each child's development and ensure their success both academically and personally.