On behalf of our pupils, staff and Academy Council it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Ivy House School, a very special place to be educated where every student is valued as an individual.

We have the specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of pupils aged 2-19 with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We are a warm and welcoming school community with a highly effective staff team.

We believe that it is imperative that everyone within our community is:

“working together to inspire, nurture and empower”

 This vision captures the importance of the multidisciplinary approach from all stakeholders including families, education, social care and health professionals to ensure that we create an offer for our learners’ that is aspirational (Inspire), offers holistic and personal development, removing barriers to learning (Nurture) and enables students to be as independent as possible so that they are well prepared for life after school, into adulthood and ensuring that no dream is out of reach (Empower).

Our learners are at the heart of everything we do. Our role as educators is to find the very best interventions and teaching techniques for each learner. To do this we need to ensure we research and work with the SEND community, but more importantly, through knowing our learners as best we can which is something as a school we pride ourselves on. At the heart of our approach is the recognition that learning and development across all areas are underpinned by our understanding of engagement - the way each individual engages with other people, activities, their environment and any stimuli. We seek to nurture life-long learners who, rather than just being recipients of support, are motivated, inquisitive and active participants in their unique curriculum.

We want our learners to learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships. We want each young person to have a sense of belonging and active participation in their life and education. We aim to provide exceptional education and care through enabling environments so that each young person can make progress towards fulfilment. We provide a curriculum that prepares them with the skills and knowledge they will need as individuals to maximise their life potential at each stage of their journey and ultimately in preparation for adulthood. We promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all children and young people. We strive to ensure that our students have the opportunity to develop their mental and physical wellbeing and are prepared for opportunities outside of the school environment and in later life. Personal development and opportunities to build cultural capital by ensuring our students get the opportunity to experience their local community and beyond are pivotal to our schools offer.

George Turner | Headteacher