Parents & Carers Area

School begins at 8.45am and ends at 3pm from Monday to Thursday and at 1pm on a Friday.

The school provides breakfast and lunch as part of our placements, but students can bring in their packed lunch if this is their preference. We have a tuck shop that does not require money but can be utilised through the rewards system in school. The school endeavours to meet all dietary requirements, particularly for those that have allergies and/or take medication that can affect their appetite.

A pupil can be placed on a fixed term exclusion which may see them brought home, but we understand that this can be difficult for families. We will always safeguard a pupil and make sure that they are returned to an appropriate adult, however, we prefer for pupils to be able to manage their own behaviour, turn things around and become re-engaged with their education, with adult support if necessary.

Queenswood School is a no smoking site. As an SEMH provision, we are aware that some pupils will have difficulties in managing this, so staff will support them to make positive decisions and not put themselves and others at any unnecessary risks.

We have a number of classes within the school and we usually try and keep pupils in groups together according to their age/key stage. When peer relationships and/or group dynamics do not allow for this, then we make use of 3 willingness to learn groups to try and support each service user so that they are able to settle in to a group with their peers. These are:

• Learn to Learn

• Ready to Learn

• Inspired to Learn

The school offers a range of core and foundation subjects, as well as making use of external provision to enhance the range of subjects available on the curriculum. There are 3 main faculties that we operate and these include:

• LIFE (literacy is for everything) which includes English, Literacy, Humanities and subjects relating to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development and Fundamental British Values

• STEM which includes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

• Expressive Arts and Active Living which includes Art and Design, Music Technology, Physical Education, Outdoor Adventurous Activities and other health promoting activities

Pupils are allowed to have their personal phones on them, but we do monitor usage. We encourage their appropriate use at the correct times which can include a pupil’s learning. Where mobile phones impact negatively on learning, we may look to put a sanction in place and this would usually be done in agreement with the parent.

Yes, pupils can go off site as part of their curriculum. This could be through the school timetable, to access specialist services, as part of their timetable through the use of an external provision and as part of the general enrichment of our pupils. We may use facilities that are local to the school or to where pupils live.

This can be adapted to meet the specific needs of pupils and parents. In general, we phone or email daily with weekly reporting. Academic attainment and therapeutic reporting are undertaken on a termly basis, but we have the flexibility to put in place monitoring, assessing and reporting procedures to meet needs of a variety of key stakeholders that work around each and every pupil.

The school does offer GCSEs and these can be studied in all core subjects, as well as a range of the foundation subjects. Where pupils are not able to access GCSE Level, we have a range of qualifications including AQA Unit Award Scheme, ASDAN Short Courses, Entry Level Awards, and Prince’s Trust qualifications as well as Gateway Level 1 Qualifications.