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Information about primary schools, special schools and resource bases in Wiltshire.
Schools websites must publish detailed information about their arrangements for identifying, assessing and making provision for pupils with SEN in an SEN information report and policy. This must also include information about the arrangements for the admission of disabled pupils, the steps taken to prevent disabled pupils from being treated less favourably than other pupils, the facilities provided to assist access for disabled pupils and the setting's accessibility plans. The school-specific information should relate to the school's arrangements for providing a graduated response to children's SEN. A guide can be found in the Document Library.
School information search
You can visit the Government website to search and download information from a register of schools and colleges in England.
Further details of independent schools for pupils with special educational needs, including those approved under section 41 of the Children and Families Act can be found by visiting:
Below is a list of schools and colleges in Wiltshire offering specialist educational support.
The Local Offer provides information about services and support available locally that will enable young people to be an integral part of their community. As a Pathfinder and Pathfinder Champion, Wiltshire has worked hard to engage with families to explore creative person centred solutions that will enable their young people to remain in their community and explore the aspirations they describe in their EHCP. If the SEND Service is not able to meet the needs of a young person locally, they would work with the family to explore options outside of Wiltshire to meet the needs and aspirations identified in the EHCP.
Special schools
Specialist schools are establishments that cater specifically to certain student needs. All their staff are trained to have expertise in SEND, specialised equipment will be available and the physical learning environment will be designed to be more supportive of students specific educational needs. Curriculum will often be adapted to support students in a more holistic way.
Exeter House is a two site 4-19 Special School for students with severe, profound and complex need, often including those with Autism located in Salisbury, South Wiltshire. They have approximately 160 pupils on roll, with the majority of our students coming from the South of Wiltshire. They believe in the extraordinary in everyone and work with their students and their families to understand their needs and realise their possibilities.
The school is committed to active, creative, reflective learning, maximised by encouragement to each individual pupil to achieve their best in every aspect of their development. They celebrate innovation and are committed to nurturing high self- esteem and respect for others. Under the leadership of Matt Sambrook the school champions research driven approaches to continually develop their physical resources, spaces and teaching practices.
Silverwood is 4 -19 co-educational special school. They have three campuses: Chippenham, Rowde and Trowbridge. Extensive new building work is due for completion in Autumn 2023. This will focus predominantly at the Rowde Campus to cater for up to 400 pupils with severe, profound, and complex needs, including those with autism. Their staff focus on the uniqueness of each individual child, ensuring they have a broad, balanced, and relevant curriculum. When learning with Silverwood, all children and young people are cared for, valued, challenged, and supported to achieve the very best they can.
Outdoor Provision
At Silverwood they use learning outside the classroom to support the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of individuals across the school. They deliver a comprehensive outdoor learning curriculum that include Land Based Studies and Tree Awards. Pupils also have the opportunity to complete Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They support and encourage trips into the local community to help develop pupil's social skills and their broader personal development.
Springfields Academy is a large special school for pupils with a diagnosis of autism that is split over two sites. One in Calne (170 pupils) and a smaller satellite centre in Salisbury (40 pupils). They benefit from a well-resourced site, where they offer education and therapy. They won the National Autistic Society - Autism Specialist Award in 2022.
Their team of staff are highly qualified specialists. They believe that the three-way partnership of pupil, school and parents is vital to enable all children to thrive. They are fully dedicated to maintaining a strong ethos and high standards, whilst offering experiences that support the children's diagnostic and developmental needs.
Pupils at Springfields are "supported to succeed and become independent learners". As well as a broad and balanced academic curriculum, designed to provide the qualifications needed for further education and skills required to succeed in an adult working life, Springfields offers a wide range of therapies and interventions to support the presenting needs of the individual child. These provide the foundations and skills, that enable pupils to progress, thrive and ultimately develop into well rounded young adults who will contribute positively to society.
Resource bases within schools are areas with staff, space and equipment that cater specifically to special educational needs and disabilities. These areas will give additional support to students to help them achieve the best outcomes from the curriculum. Being part of a larger school students will often be taught re-integration strategies and learning strategies to give students the tools to continue to develop.
For information about afterschool childcare providers visit our childcare directory. You can search for your nearest provider by entering your postcode in the relevant field.
