Type of service: Day schools, Schools

Remarkable is a non-maintained special school and independent specialist college for children and young people aged 5-25 years, diagnosed with autism. All staff at Remarkable School & College are proud of the relationship they have with parents/carers, local authority commissioners and associated staff from multi-disciplinary collaborative working. In January 2020 Remarkable was recognised by Award Place with the leading parent partnership award. Simultaneously the organisation was also presented with the wellbeing award on behalf of Award Place and National Children’s Bureau.

We offer a multidisciplinary and holistic approach towards education and care which centres on social, communication and flexible thinking approaches. We also offer support for families through a dedicated family liaison team. We offer local authority funded day placements and extended school services (after school, Saturday, school holiday and short-term break provision). The school provides education for up to 75 children and young people with autism and is approved by the Department for Education to admit children between the ages of five and nineteen. We aim to provide equality of opportunity in access to all aspects of curriculum regardless of the nature and degree of need of the child with autism. All students are regarded as an individual with their own singular and special strengths. This ensures that their own personality, ability and interests are catered for so as to promote and enhance the spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development of the students at the school and in society.

All students follow a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which incorporate all National Curriculum subjects. The school has identified two essential areas of the curriculum which embrace all other curriculum areas and which are seen as priority areas for development in students with autism – these are Communication and Personal Social Health and Economic Education (PSHEE). Fundamental to the ethos of School and College are the character values of confidence, kindness, creativity, resilience and respect.
Lakeside College is dedicated to providing expert specialist education to students with autism, our focus is upon achieving the very best outcomes.

Lakeside College supports young people with autism to fulfil their own unique potential, we provide this through safe and nurturing education environments that meet the full range of young people’s needs. LEAP College specialises in education and preparation for adulthood for young adults with autism and associated difficulties. We provide foundation learning, development of life skills, personal and self-help skills, social and communication skills and therapeutic support with sensory integration difficulties.

Post 16 students are provided with daily opportunities to enhance their independent learning skills under pinned through strategies to develop resilience and innovative opportunities are a feature of developing career pathways/employability within learning. In July 2020, LEAP College was recognised through NATSPEC with their Community Partnership Award. In January 2021 the Educate Award for the most inspirational 16-18 educational provider was awarded to Remarkable Post 16 Department and in May 2021 NATSPEC provided further national recognition through the award of Pathways into Employment.

The therapy team provides integrated therapy support strategies across the curriculum, training and direct person centred therapy informed by EHCP outcomes. The department includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy including Equine OT, Physio Therapy, Rebound Therapy, Music Therapy and Dog Therapy. Implementation of a Total Communication Approach, meeting sensory needs and maximising potential for the development of functional skills/learning are core therapy provisions. Therapists are involved in positive behaviour approaches including enhancing the communication of sensory needs and emotions using the Zones of Regulation/Emotional Literacy Support. Working with families, carers and other professionals, therapy enriches the day to day experiences both on site and the wider community.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Covers: North West

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Other specialisms: Learning disability

Level: NAS Autism Accreditation – Beacon Status

Year: 2022