Mapledown School

[EduCativ]

Mapledown School in the London Borough of Barnet’s Secondary School for pupils with Severe and Complex Learning Disabilities. Our pupils have a very diverse level and range of needs and we aim to work together with all stakeholders to meet those needs and promote learning.
Mapledown School is Barnet’s only secondary school for students with Severe and Profound Learning Disabilities (including Autism) and we have spaces for up to seventy-nine students organized into eleven classes in three distinct ‘Learning Zones’. All students have a Statement of Special Educational Needs or are admitted on an assessment basis. We have developed strong partnerships with families and carers and will always place the needs of students at the heart of all we do.
We currently have 72 pupils on role situated in eleven class groups. Each class team has one teacher with three or four Learning Support Assistants. These class groups are located in ‘Learning Zones’. There are two classrooms in Zone One which support pupils with Severe Learning Disabilities Zone Two’s four classes cater to pupils on the Autistic Spectrum and Zone Three is focused on pupils who have Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
The school has a full-time Nurse and Physiotherapist and pupils have access to an integrated service offered through Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Pediatric Doctors, Dietician, Social Services, and specialist peripatetic teachers as required (eg Visual or Hearing Impairment). The school is a registered ‘Regional Training Centre’ for the M.O.V.E Programme – this is a school-wide system for assessing and promoting physical independence skills. Mapledown is located next door to a ‘mainstream’ secondary school and some of our pupils attend integrated lessons there or use their school facilities – eg technology room, sports hall, library, etc.
The school is organized into two Departments – Key Stage Three and Post Fourteen and we deliver a broad, balanced, and relevant curriculum based around the National Curriculum. Each pupil is assessed using ‘P Scales’ and progress is monitored and evaluated through Key Personal Learning Targets. The school maintains daily contact with parents and carers through a system of Home –School Diaries and we hold Coffee Mornings every half term for parents to come into school. A number of our pupils regularly use the overnight respite facilities offered by Social Services and where this is the case we maintain the same level of links as with the home. All pupil progress is reported at Annual Reviews. Parents can call the head directly and the school maintains an open door policy.
Mapledown is a place of learning for all members of the school's community a learning organization. Students’ needs and ambitions are the primary reason for doing the things we do and we believe that they are entitled to our respect and dedication. We are committed to developing a genuine partnership, based on equality of opportunity, for continuous improvement so that excellence, service, innovation, and progress become a reality for students, families, staff, and the wider community.

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