New Skill Centre Independent SEN School

Nicola Shaw is the Office Manager of the Independent School. If unavailable, please contact the Headteacher, Mark Winston (details outlined in additional contact).

Pupil places are mainly commissioned directly by the Local Authority as part of the consultation process and Special Education Panel (SEP)

Further to this, places can be sought directly from home schools, private arrangements, etc. 

A thorough student transition process will be administered, with close co-operation and communication with parents/carers. The Referral and Transition/Induction process is completed within the first few weeks of the student starting at the New Skill Centre. The Transition phase is co-ordinated by the Assistant Headteacher for Pastoral and Wellbeing. The Induction phase is co-ordinated by the Deputy Headteacher/SENCO. The Transition and Induction period is organised to enable the young person to gradually integrate into the setting, become confident with the staff team and get to know other students attending

During the referral, transition and induction process, pupil information is gained from referring home schools, local authority, professional agencies, training providers, social care team, parents/carers.

AQA, WJEC, Arts Award

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to enable our young people to grow in subject knowledge, skills and understanding, whilst developing the confidence and resilience so they can successfully move onto further education, training and employment.

We are passionate in helping to develop our pupils, so that they may live a life that has purpose and meaning to them and enables them to engage positively in their relationships with their local community and with society in general.

High quality teaching with therapeutic input and experiences, lead to sound academic and personal development. Our curriculum is founded on developing and in some cases, restoring self confidence and self esteem, focusing initially on the development of a thorough understanding of the young person and developing trusting relationships between the young person and staff.

Daily, the acquisition of core skills is central to pupil learning. Every school day starts with independent, shared or group reading, thus developing fluency, increasing vocabulary and helping young people to develop reading for pleasure. English and Maths lessons are provided daily to ensure rapid progress is achieved in these subjects so helping to unlock learning in all subject areas.

Pupils follow a vibrant, broad and balanced curriculum. The range of subjects include:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• PSHE
• ICT
• Art and Design
• Humanities and Democracy
• History
• Design Technology
• Music
• PE
• Cooking
• Ethics and Philosophy
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Citizenship
• Digital Skills
• Animation

 Some of the interventions used to further support individual pupils and to compliment the personalisation of our curriculum offer, consist of:

- THRIVE approach

- Drawing and Talking,

- Numeracy skills,

- Handwriting, Spelling and Reading.

Developing self-worth and resilience in our young people is essential. Young people needing support to manage difficult situations can be supported by the therapeutic intervention, titled, Drawing and Talking. We have a trained practitioner as part of the staff team.  

The New Skill Centre also use a nationally recognised approach called THRIVE to help promote mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. There are two staff members who are THRIVE licensed practitioners. 

The intended outcomes of our curriculum is that all pupils become:

 1. Successful pupils who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve their full potential.

 2. Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

 3. Responsible citizens who can make a positive contribution to society.

We achieve this through OUR curriculum which: 

1. Is broad and balanced.
2. Will encourage all pupils to reach their full potential.
3. Is flexible enough to meet the needs of the diverse population within the school and matched to the individual needs of each pupil.
4. Builds on pupils previous and existing knowledge, skills and understanding.
5. Reflects the multicultural nature of the local community and built upon British Values.
6. Develops confidence, high self-esteem and independence.
7. Develops a respect for other people and the environment.
8. Prepares students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

Courtesy, good manners, respect and consideration for others, together with self-discipline and resilience are all important aspects of a child’s education. The New Skill Centre encourages pupils to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves and supports them in this by providing a welcoming, friendly and safe environment in which they feel valued, trusted and where they are supported to develop high self-esteem and confidence.

Personal development is fostered through our PSHE and personalised curriculum offer and is enhanced through activities, visits and trips that enable pupils to gain a wider understanding of themselves, the local community and understanding of the world around them.