How the school operates
- We are an amazing special school and 6th Form with up to 160 students aged between 11 to 19 years old. Students are taught in classes of up to 12 individuals, supported by a teacher and normally at least 1 teaching assistant.
- Most new students join us in September in either Year 7 or Year 12 but we do admit young people into other year groups throughout the year where vacancies exist.
- Our students all have complex learning & additional needs (LAN) and all are supported by an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) which is reviewed annually.
- The majority of students join us are operating at least 4 to 6 years below chronological expectations.
- Our students’ additional needs include global developmental delay, autism, ADHD / ODD/ADD, anxiety, OCD, sleep apnoea, cerebral palsy, visual or hearing impairment, dyspraxia/coordination difficulties, hydrocephalus, epilepsy, chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome, speech, language & communication difficulties.
- It is our explicit aim to facilitate every opportunity to help address our students wider ‘therapeutic’ needs.
- Whilst some of our students have some mobility difficulties, due to the split-level nature of our site we are unable to cater for young people in wheelchairs.
- We describe our young people as not disabled but differently abled.
- We have a highly dedicated, experienced and specially trained staff team committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for every young person.
- We believe in building a real and lasting sense of community and belonging – we are proud of being an especially welcoming school.
- Feeling safe and developing positive and trusting relationships are key to our students’ success. Securing our students’ wellbeing and positive mental health is central to our provision.
- We employ a multi-disciplinary approach in meeting the needs of our students and each individual is following their own personalised programme.
- We place special emphasis on partnership working (with parents, other professionals, Local Authorities, business / industry and the local community).
- Everything we do is designed to ensure positive & successful adult life chances for our students (not just ‘next steps’).
- The school is located in 21 acres of peaceful and beautiful woodland and we are proud of the high quality and well maintained learning environment we have created, including many specialist resources and teaching areas. Carwarden House Community School and Sixth Form grounds are owned by Surrey County Council.