Castlebar Primary School

[EduCativ]

Castlebar School is a Local Authority Maintained Special School in Ealing for boys and girls aged 4 to 11 years. We aim to provide a quality education for children who have complex moderate to severe learning difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorders. Castlebar School celebrates diversity and promotes equality and acceptance of others by encouraging pupils to be kind and to look after each other.

Communication is a top priority and the school is committed to a total communication environment. All teaching staff is trained in Makaton and PECS symbols are used creatively to develop communication. Castlebar School values its parents’ involvement in educating its pupils. Encouraging and supporting children throughout their school lives is regarded as a joint enterprise requiring mutual co-operation and respect between the school and parents.

The Headteacher is always willing to make arrangements to discuss concerns that parents might have and a newsletter is published each month keeping parents aware of school issues and forthcoming events. A home school diary is used for regular communication between school and home.

Pupils' learning is carefully planned to meet the needs of each child. The school makes its curriculum as real as possible using a visual and multi-sensory approach.

Castlebar School strongly promotes 3 key skills:

• Communication
• Socialization
• Independence

The school has high expectations and supports its pupils every step of the way e.g. with termly Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and with Annual Reviews (ARs).

Pupils learn to read simple books and to develop speaking and listening skills. They are also helped to develop social skills (e.g. turn-taking) and independence skills (e.g. counting money). Communication skills are also developed through drama, role-play, and social skills games. Castlebar School follows supports the teaching of phonics with a wide range of resources to interest the pupil and reinforce work covered.

The school places a strong emphasis on working together with parents and carers. Castlebar offers a range of parent and carer support options including parenting classes, clinical psychology, social worker support, and ongoing teacher/parent meetings. Parents and carers are always welcome especially for school events such as school assemblies and concerts.

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