Headteacher opportunity
Ravenshall School

All children and young people at Ravenshall will require a highly personalised programme of support, which is specific to their complex needs, focusing upon basic functional skills; life skills; personal and social development; self-regulation and management of their emotions; physical development. This is delivered in a nurturing environment which sets out to make every child feel safe, accepted and valued first and foremost. Ravenshall has regular access to professionals, for example Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, and a Physiotherapist, but also has its own behaviour support team who support academic intervention, nurture intervention, behaviour intervention, speech and language intervention and working with families. This team works closely with teaching staff to ensure students receive an integrated package of support.

Pupils are set aspirational academic and personal targets in order to help them to overcome their barriers to learning. They will work within a highly adapted curriculum which is tailored to meet need: some follow a semi-formal sensory and experiential curriculum which supports those with higher needs; others work within a more structured, low arousal environment with an emphasis on social communication, which supports those with autistic traits; others are more able to access the national curriculum at a higher level and to develop the skills for independent living.

The school is committed to providing a relevant and personalised education for its pupils and preparing them for a world of independence as good citizens. It values the role of the arts and sports in encouraging motivation and personal development across the curriculum and all areas of learning.

The school encourages and is committed to working alongside the community and partner schools and agencies in providing quality experiences and opportunities for all its pupils to support achievement. It has a thriving ‘Friends of Ravenshall’ committee who work tirelessly to ensure that the home/school/community links are well established and productive in their fundraising and promotional activities. This successful, proactive practice incorporates the important role that parents/carers, governors and the wider community have to play in supporting the pupils and the school itself.

Ravenshall prides itself in being an inclusive school which ensures that all of its pupils receive an equal opportunity to achieve their very best. The school respects differences and celebrates diversity in all its forms. It gives children and young people a voice and encourages the active participation in the education process. It is committed too, in providing opportunities to develop life skills and preparation for adulthood through a work-related curriculum which is shaped to each stage of our pupils’ journey at Ravenshall.

School has a 16 – 19 provision (Preparation for Adulthood), which supports small groups of more vulnerable pupils from across other Kirklees special schools, who are not yet ready to move on to Kirklees College or other post 16 providers.

In September 2020, a locally situated, former Children’s Centre was completely refurbished and remodelled to provide a purpose built, specialist provision to cater for our expanding Post 16 cohort. Now providing an additional ‘Bespoke’ provision for our more ‘Semi formal’ learners, the building is the perfect environment to provide the specialist curriculum in preparation for adulthood.

These young people continue to develop their learning in literacy and numeracy whilst experiencing a wide range of confidence building activities in order to develop their social skills in readiness for moving on to a college setting, further training or employment at the end of Year 13.