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Undershaw

 
 

About

Undershaw

 
 

About

Undershaw

 
 

About

Undershaw

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September 20, 2024 in Events, General news, Uncategorised

20 years of Stepping Stones and Undershaw 2004-2024

Today we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the school. An inspiring journey from Stepping Stones School which started with 3 students in 2004 to today,  as Undershaw, with 102 students.…
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A New Way

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.

 

Undershaw is an independent specialist school 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 qualification pathways in a safe, secure, and friendly environment.

Many of our students have found the pace of mainstream schooling particularly challenging and may have experienced barriers within their educational journey.

As a school our role is to transition our young people into a world where they can be economically and socially engaged.

Gemma BriggsDeputy Headteacher (Pastoral)

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 4 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.

We are child centric

  • We are for access to a quality education free of discrimination.

  • We recruit staff of the highest calibre.

  • We have leading therapists.

  • We thread employability and life skills throughout school life.

  • We are supported by trailblazing Charitable Foundations and a passionate Governing Board.

  • We have Discovery Days and Learning Dens (no classrooms here!)

  • We are Undershaw.

What they're saying

‘Undershaw is a shining example of best practice in skills education. Congratulations to all involved'

Sophie DeavilleSenior Education Associate, Skills Builder Partnership

A strong focus on developing key life and employability skills in the sixth form ensures that pupils are well prepared personally, as well as academically, for the next stages of education or employment.

OFSTED ReportFeb 2022

The Undershaw students are just so lovely and friendly. I’m impressed how hard working and mature they are.

SarahCafé Manager, Haslewey Community Centre

It was a delight to meet your students: full of questions and curiosity. It’s clearly a lovely school.

Kate Perry, BBC Journalistand Undershaw Careers Week Speaker

The staff at Undershaw have created a lifelong strategy for students, ensuring that they have the essential skills needed to succeed.

Sophie DeavilleSenior Education Associate, Skills Builder Partnership

Thanks for the confidence in me.

Undershaw Alumnus

Honestly the change in him has been amazing. We feel very fortunate to have got into Undershaw. Such a great school with fantastic staff & teachers.

Undershaw Parent

The school has been amazing and has transformed my son in so many ways into the happy and confident 16yr old he is today.

Undershaw Parent

Eliminating the impossible

Respect

Undershaw is an inclusive community which is based on mutual respect.  Everyone is valued and their uniqueness celebrated.

Read about Employability

Kindness

Undershaw is a caring and considerate school. We look after each other wholeheartedly, fostering meaningful and compassionate relationships.

Read about Therapy

Resilience

Undershaw is a safe space for all, where we can take risks. We support each other to keep going and believe in ourselves when we try new things.

Read about our Curriculum