School improvement
The curriculum for special schools seems to be continually changing and provides a constant challenge to managers as there is no clear national strategy for the development of these schools. A balance needs to be found between the needs, rights and objectives of pupils with learning difficulties and their families, the multi-professional system needed and the current initiatives from central government.
Schools are accountable for the value of the education they provide, but in the field of special needs it proves difficult to justify and qualify the standard and strategies of learning available. Stride can support schools in finding the balance between specialist curricula, the National Curriculum, and the idiosyncratic needs of the individual pupil. Stride can help you to develop a school vision, improvement plans, curricula aims, support programmes, Individual Education Programmes, schemes of work, learning environments and assessment and recording procedures.
Stride can also help in preparing for OFSTED inspections, and post-OFSTED action- planning. The changing pupil groups in special schools can bring complications. Stride can support schools that have been redesignated, by increasing the knowledge and confidence of the staff through training, observations and intensive consultation.
Consultation
Stride offers consultation on a number of issues and we have enjoyed working to support schools address specific areas of work.We value the opportunity to meet staff and pupils in their own environments. There is something special about working in schools which provide education to such a widely diverse pupil population and where we are always made to feel valued and welcome.
Consultation can cover such areas as:- Supporting specific areas of work such as PMLD or ASD
- Developing a specific curriculum area such as numeracy or literacy
- Improving aspects of the school such as IEPs, long- and medium-term planning, teaching and learning
- Developing whole school approaches to such things as communication or play
We invited both consultants in to school to spend a morning in two classes; followed by a discussion time with teachers/classroom assistants to highlight any changes they felt could be made for the better. All staff found this useful. Most importantly, staff felt they could be honest and didn’t feel they had to have everything right. Both consultants from Stride also made staff feel at ease by the way that they offered suggestions and ideas … Our sessions with Stride have therefore proved invaluable. So much has come out of their visits, which will ensure that we have an ongoing relationship with them. I would not hesitate in recommending them to any school.
Home | View our scheduled courses | ^Top
