WELCOME TO THE GRANGE SCHOOL
The Grange School in Thatcham is an independent, co-educational school that provides day placements for Children and Young People with autism.
The Grange School is an inclusive school that celebrates diversity and recognises that every Child is different and unique. We pride ourselves on offering a nurturing environment where Pupils feel supported, safe and confident to take risks within their learning in order to grow and flourish. We are committed to treating all members of our community with empathy, understanding and respect.
The Grange School supports Children and Young People through key stages two to four who experience difficulties associated with autism, social, emotional and mental health development, speech and language development, or who may have been exposed to trauma and/or adverse childhood experiences. Our Pupils may also have additional developmental needs, that impact their ability to access a mainstream provision.
At The Grange School, we provide an enriching and exciting curriculum for of our Pupils to enable them to access their education successfully and to achieve their long-term aspirations. We are committed to championing difference, encouraging curiosity and developing creativity in all Pupils in order to foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.
We include opportunities for our Pupils to explore and develop their individual passions and interests and to find success in areas of personal strength; this will include academic subjects, sports and learning outside the classroom.
We believe that our school is an inspiring environment that encourages Pupils to develop enquiring minds, high personal expectations and an understanding and respect for others. We recognise that individual development, including self-esteem and self-respect, are essential for enabling our Pupils to lead happy, successful lives. We aim to ensure that our Pupils develop into caring, happy, confident and adaptable Young People, equipped with good academic skills, and an eagerness to continue developing their academic and social skills into the future.
The Grange School adopts a restorative approach, where therapeutic practices are at the centre of all that we do. We aim to create an atmosphere where the Phoenix Learning and Care ‘HEART’ values of Honesty, Empathy, Aspiration, Respect and Teamwork are woven into everything that we do for our Pupils and their families.
Jane Holloway
Headteacher
- Small class sizes
- 60 place co-educational school
- In-house integrated therapies team
- Key Stage 2-4 (8-16yrs)
- 1:1 support available
- Broad, balanced and engaging curriculum
DELIVERING OUR ETHOS AND VALUES
At The Grange School, our ethos and set of core values are at the heart of all that we do.
Our approach of ‘Nurture’, ‘Flourish’, ‘Grow’ and ‘Be kind’ not only guide our bespoke programmes of learning and personalised curriculum, but also underpin our day-to-day interactions with each other as members of our school community and our wider work within the local community.
We believe that by creating a school culture where kindness is key and the individual needs of our Pupils are central to every decision we make, we can:
Nurture our Pupils, tailoring their individual curriculum to best support their educational, social and emotional needs.
Support our Pupils to flourish, creating a supportive environment which helps them to feel safe, encouraged and confident.
Provide our Pupils with the perfect conditions to enable them to grow throughout their school journey, and beyond, equipping them with the skills and experiences required to achieve personal success.
We work closely with our Pupils, their families and professionals to create bespoke programmes of learning which are tailored to the educational, social and emotional needs of all Pupils, supporting them to reach their full potential. Our personalised curriculum acknowledges the national curriculum and meets the individual needs of our Pupils, whilst also supporting them to meet the outcomes identified in their Education Health and Care plan (EHCP).
To achieve this, every Pupil has individualised plans, outlining their strengths and areas of need, and how we can best support them, and a personalised Learning Journey to plan their curriculum pathway throughout their time at The Grange School. Our goal is to provide access to the best possible academic, social and emotional outcomes as well as preparing our Pupils for the next stage of their education and adulthood by equipping them with the skills required to achieve personal success and to become active members of society.
THE CORE OFFER
Our curriculum offer includes small class sizes with a high Pupil to Team Member ratio, and a primary model where Pupils have dedicated key adults.
Pupils will have their own personalised learning space where they are able to grow in confidence whilst feeling nurtured and encouraged to develop as individual Pupil and active members of our school community. We achieve this through our inclusive multidisciplinary approach to learning and development, supported by access to our team of highly qualified therapeutic practitioners, and through our bespoke and individualised programmes of study. We also provide a comprehensive enrichment curriculum which has been carefully structured to develop lifelong, transferrable skills and to cultivate an appreciation of the environment and sustainability. This experiential based learning approach supports our Pupils to develop independence and self-confidence and to successfully transition into life outside of The Grange School.
We have high expectations for every Pupil and believe that all Pupils can achieve, thrive and succeed when provided with the right support.
Our aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and positive learning environment where Pupils feel valued, understood and able to learn effectively. Through a personalised approach, we support Pupils to develop academically, socially and emotionally whilst building confidence, resilience and independence.
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum alongside a wide range of enrichment opportunities that enable Pupils to discover new interests, develop skills and experience success. Pupils are supported to work towards appropriate qualifications, accreditations and recognised outcomes that reflect their individual abilities, interests and future aspirations. We work closely with Parents, Carers and Professionals to ensure that every Pupil receives consistent support and is well prepared for future education, employment and adult life.
As a specialist provision for Pupils with complex SEND needs, we deliver bespoke educational and therapeutic programmes tailored to each individual.
Our curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of our Pupils, ensuring barriers to learning can be identified and addressed. As an attachment and trauma aware school, we recognise that all behaviour is communication and seek to understand the needs that sit behind it.
What truly sets us apart is our integrated therapeutic approach. Our on-site Integrated Therapies Team works closely with Leaders, Teachers and Pupils to ensure therapeutic support is embedded throughout the school day. Rather than being separate from education, therapy forms part of everyday school life, helping Pupils develop the skills they need to regulate emotions, build relationships and engage successfully in learning.
We also maintain strong partnerships with families, local authorities and external professionals to provide joined-up support throughout a Pupil’s school journey and during key periods of transition.
Every Pupil benefits from a personalised package of education, therapeutic support and intervention designed around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations.
- Small class sizes with additional support where required.
- Bespoke learning programmes including targeted literacy and numeracy interventions
- Specialist differentiated teaching.
- GCSE, Functional Skills, and other accreditation pathways.
- Weekly enrichment, outdoor learning and self-esteem building activities.
- Rigorous academic and developmental progress tracking.
- Regular reviews with Parents and Carers to discuss progress and agree targets.
We believe that every Pupil has the right to therapeutic support alongside their education. We recognise that the two are not mutually exclusive, which is why our on-site Integrated Therapies Team (ITT) works closely with Leaders, Teachers and Pupils to ensure therapeutic support is embedded throughout the school day.
Therapeutic support is an integral part of each Pupil’s individual education programme and is designed to meet their social, emotional, behavioural and communication needs. Through assessment, observation, interaction and information gathering, we develop personalised therapeutic approaches that enable Pupils to grow, develop and engage successfully in learning.
Pupils may access:
- Creative Arts Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Individual therapeutic interventions
- Group-based therapeutic programmes
Our therapeutic provision is clinically driven and tailored to individual need. Support may include direct therapeutic intervention, such as one-to-one sessions with a Therapist, alongside indirect therapeutic programmes and strategies delivered throughout the school day. Interventions may be time-limited or ongoing, depending on need and regular clinical review.
The Integrated Therapies Team also provides:
- Consultation and guidance for Teachers and Team Members.
- Support with EHCP reviews and multi-agency meetings.
- Behaviour and emotional regulation strategies.
- Risk management and safeguarding consultation.
- Classroom observations and feedback.
- Sensory environment recommendations.
- Communication-friendly environment support.
- Support for education teams in delivering therapeutic approaches and programmes, such as Zones of Regulation.
- Training, modelling and reflective practice for Team Members.
Our therapeutic model is grounded in attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice. We believe that positive outcomes are achieved when the whole environment supports a Pupil’s growth and development. By working collaboratively with education teams, families and professionals, we create a nurturing environment where Pupils feel safe, understood and supported to flourish.
REFERRALS & ADMISSIONS
Pupil admission to The Grange School is determined through an assessment process. Parents, Carers, and Professionals are welcome to contact the school for more information once you have read our prospectus. We take applications at all points of the year.
- Parents/Carers and Professionals contact school for information.
- Parents/Carers inform Local Authority of their school preferences.
- Local authority consults Petherton Park School.
- Senior Leadership Team assesses whether Pupil needs can be met.
- Further information may be required at this stage.
- Home visit or School visit arranged.
- Parents/Carers and Pupil invited for admissions interview.
- Final decision made by Senior Leadership Team.
- Local Authority informed of decision and education package agreed.
- Admission Pack sent out to Parents/Carers to be completed and signed.
- Individual risk assessment and positive behavioural support plan created.
- All information added to School Information Systems.
- Transport arranged through the Local Authority.
- Clear transition plan created.
- Pupil starts at Acorn School.
- Baseline assessments commence.
