Undershaw

Undershaw is a small school with a deep focus on individual happiness and well-being. It is our sole purpose to provide an environment free of prejudice and discrimination, and one where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Undershaw is a specialist setting where children from Year 3 to Post 16 with mild to moderate learning difficulties and additional needs, such as ASD, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, and medical vulnerabilities can access the national curriculum and bespoke qualification pathways in a safe, secure, and friendly environment.

Many of our students have found the pace and environment of mainstream schooling particularly challenging and may have experienced barriers within their educational journey. At Undershaw we have small class sizes, a personal approach to welfare and pastoral care, and a supportive and relaxing environment where each student can thrive, make lasting friendships, and achieve their best.

Our focus on leading SEND Education, Integrated Therapy, Employability, and Well-Being ensures that our provision is bespoke to each individual student. A place where everyone is free to be.

A typical Undershaw student profile:

• Mixed gender from Year 3 to Post 16

• Mild to moderate learning difficulties

• Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Undershaw students present with mild to moderate:

• Speech, language, and communication difficulties

• Sensory processes disorders

• Specific learning difficulties for example, dyslexia

• Developmental co-ordination disorder

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders

• ASD and associated learning difficulties

• Anxiety or Depression

• Medical vulnerabilities such as hemiplegia and chromosome disorders

A strong Special Educational Needs (SEN) philosophy is the heart of everything we do. We understand how additional needs are often challenging in a school setting and the potential barriers posed by traditional schooling for those with SEND. We have tailored our school environment to address these needs.

• Teaching and Learning: each child has a class teacher and comprehensive pastoral teaching assistance. We also have a team of Specialist Subject Teachers, Pastoral Support Teaching Assistants, and Subject Specialist Teaching Assistants. We have a maximum of 8 children per class group to allow for the organic development of friendships, peer support, and individual pastoral care.

• Integrated Therapy: We operate a fully integrated Therapy Programme to support each student's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We offer a comprehensive range of physical and emotional therapies to complement the health and welfare of all our students. Therapy is integrated into the timetable, takes place in our dedicated Therapy Centre, and is delivered by a team of leading practitioners.

• The School Day: Those with ASD and complex needs often find transition times stressful. We have structured our school day accordingly. Our timetable has 3 substantial lesson blocks, minimising the frequency and disruption caused by back-to-back lessons and the associated transition.

• Learning Dens: In place of classrooms, Undershaw students have Learning Dens. This ensures that the children can stay in their own 'home' as much as possible. We have a suite of specialist spaces available to furnish the curriculum e.g. a bespoke Arts and Music Centre, IT suite and Media Studio, to mention a few.