Carers Rights

Our students make their way into school on one of three yellow bus services, either independently or with the support of the Local Authority Transport Team. Many students aspire to become more independent in their travel and this aspiration is nurtured and encouraged throughout their time at the school.
Our students are part of a pastoral group, led by a dedicated teacher and team of support staff. They help students to settle after the journey to school and prepare them for the day ahead. The pastoral team have an in-depth knowledge of each student and are usually the first point of contact for our families.
Core sessions are ability set lessons working toward key communication targets identified for each student through the EHC process. Students work on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and numeracy skills appropriate to their level of development through a range of individualised activities. Other groups have specific maths/numeracy lessons where required.
Literacy provides opportunities for all students to develop their language skills through reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students are taught to understand and appreciate a range of literary texts, with lessons differentiated based on students individual learning styles. Multi-Sensory teaching methods ensure all students are fully involved to maximise engagement.
In numeracy, the emphasis is on applying mathematics to real life situations such as using money in the local community, weighing and measuring real objects, and learning to tell the time. All lessons have practical and sensory aspects, where students are encouraged to think for themselves and develop their problem solving abilities.
All students have the opportunity to join in practical activities, including accessing science through personal exploration and more sensory approaches. Topics covered and materials used are relevant to the student’s everyday lives. In this way, scientific concepts become relevant, meaningful and memorable.
While at school, our students benefit from a healthy and balanced lunch prepared by our award winning catering team. As a Food for Life Gold accredited school, we are firm believers that a good diet leads to better performance in the classroom. The kitchen also provides important work placement opportunities for a number of students.
We recognise the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle to support learning. Students are encouraged to take part in activities such as swimming, movement and mobility sessions and cycling using our fleet of adapted bikes. Participation is tailored to the individual and PE lessons are fully inclusive so that all students can be involved.
Our state-of-the-art on site Hydrotherapy Pool allows students to develop their swimming and water confidence as soon as they come to Ravenscliffe. It is the first step for many students as they learn to become independent swimmers and provides vital hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions for students with more complex needs.
Horticulture is an important part of student's learning, with a focus on plant care, general gardening and creativity in our award winning community gardens. Many students move on to work placements at garden centres or farms after discovering a passion and enthusiasm for the great outdoors during their time at the school.
Each year, many hundreds of volunteers come to the school to meet our incredible students. Inclusion is not just about our students going out into the community; it’s about the community coming in to Ravenscliffe to see for themselves the astounding talents of our young people.
Our students make their way into school on one of three yellow bus services, either independently or with the support of the Local Authority Transport Team. Many students aspire to become more independent in their travel and this aspiration is nurtured and encouraged throughout their time at the school.
Our students are part of a pastoral group, led by a dedicated teacher and team of support staff. They help students to settle after the journey to school and prepare them for the day ahead. The pastoral team have an in-depth knowledge of each student and are usually the first point of contact for our families.
Core sessions are ability set lessons working toward key communication targets identified for each student through the EHC process. Students work on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and numeracy skills appropriate to their level of development through a range of individualised activities. Other groups have specific maths/numeracy lessons where required.
Literacy provides opportunities for all students to develop their language skills through reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students are taught to understand and appreciate a range of literary texts, with lessons differentiated based on students individual learning styles. Multi-Sensory teaching methods ensure all students are fully involved to maximise engagement.
In numeracy, the emphasis is on applying mathematics to real life situations such as using money in the local community, weighing and measuring real objects, and learning to tell the time. All lessons have practical and sensory aspects, where students are encouraged to think for themselves and develop their problem solving abilities.
All students have the opportunity to join in practical activities, including accessing science through personal exploration and more sensory approaches. Topics covered and materials used are relevant to the student’s everyday lives. In this way, scientific concepts become relevant, meaningful and memorable.
While at school, our students benefit from a healthy and balanced lunch prepared by our award winning catering team. As a Food for Life Gold accredited school, we are firm believers that a good diet leads to better performance in the classroom. The kitchen also provides important work placement opportunities for a number of students.
We recognise the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle to support learning. Students are encouraged to take part in activities such as swimming, movement and mobility sessions and cycling using our fleet of adapted bikes. Participation is tailored to the individual and PE lessons are fully inclusive so that all students can be involved.
Our state-of-the-art on site Hydrotherapy Pool allows students to develop their swimming and water confidence as soon as they come to Ravenscliffe. It is the first step for many students as they learn to become independent swimmers and provides vital hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions for students with more complex needs.
Horticulture is an important part of student's learning, with a focus on plant care, general gardening and creativity in our award winning community gardens. Many students move on to work placements at garden centres or farms after discovering a passion and enthusiasm for the great outdoors during their time at the school.
Each year, many hundreds of volunteers come to the school to meet our incredible students. Inclusion is not just about our students going out into the community; it’s about the community coming in to Ravenscliffe to see for themselves the astounding talents of our young people.
We help our students prepare for employment by building their confidence levels and raising their aspirations, helping them to become valued and hard-working members of the community.
Since its inception in 2002, our employability course continues to grow. Now boasting 36 employer partnerships, students are offered supported and independent work placements every week. It has been the first step on the ladder to paid employment for a large number of students, many of whom are still in employment to this day.
Our partners all share the school’s ethos and values; seeing individual potential and allowing students to flourish. Working relationships often extend long after students leave Ravenscliffe.
“Going on my Springboard placement is the best part of my week. My colleagues make me feel welcome and I hope I can get a job when I leave school”
At Ravenscliffe, we recognise that every student is entitled to develop their independence skills as they progress through school. Training is purposeful, appropriate and tailored to the individual.
Our Travel Training programmes challenge the notion that young people with special needs cannot develop independence. Opportunities for learning begin in Year 7, and our qualified travel trainer’s develop travel plans for each student to maximise their long term potential. More able students aspire to become fully independent through our flagship “Independence in a Month” programme.
Since 2006, over 80 students have achieved full independence through our intensive “Independence in a Month” Scheme. Skills learned at Ravenscliffe have a long term positive impact on their lives.
“The best thing about being independent is that I can travel to School with my friends, just like everybody else does!”
At Ravenscliffe, every student is given a stage to express themselves. This leads to the discovery of some quite incredible talents. Being a talented musician, signer or dancer is just as important as excelling in more traditional curriculum activities.
Our Gifted and Talented Programme allows students to do what they are good at, and to express themselves in a way that makes them happy. We are lucky to have a cohort of incredibly talented singers, dancers, singers, and musicians. Students develop tremendous confidence through performing arts, both at school and in the wider community.
Students have performed across the country, to great acclaim. Our crews are the highlight of any festival or performance in which they take part. Not only are they great entertainers, but performing arts provides a stage to build confidence and raise young people's aspirations.
"The students are quite simply incredible; a credit to their School, their families, but more importantly, themselves. Their talents literally take your breath away. They are full of confidence, and look to be having the time of their lives"