Type of service: Assessment, Day schools, Nursery and pre-schools, Outreach - education, Residential schools, Schools

Website: http://www.woodlands.n-yorks.sch.uk

The Woodlands School is a local education authority (LEA) special school for pupils aged 2-16 years. The school caters for students with a wide range of special needs. Almost 50 per cent of the school population have autism. The range is from severe and classic autism to high functioning or Asperger syndrome. These include pupils/students with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning disabilities (SLD), moderate learning disabilities (MLD) and challenging behaviour. There are specialist classes for early years and primary aged children. In the secondary age provision all students work within appropriate timetables in ability groups. Access to a range of interventions/strategies and teaching methods are provided according to each individual's needs. All staff have received training in autism and picture exchange communication system (PECS) with a large number of staff trained in Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children (TEACCH). The school has very close links with health and social services. Training opportunities and advice are provided to a range of services. The Acting Headteacher holds a qualification in Ad.Cert (Autism). The Acting Deputy Headteacher is actively involved in the Autism Networking Group and Task Group and co-ordinates school input into the education service outreach team. The school is currently applying for specialist status as a Communication and Interaction College. Weekly respite care is available during term time just for some pupils from their own school. Volunteers may be accepted to work with the pupils and are very carefully vetted.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability