Merryfields School work to adhere to the SEND Code of Practice, through working with parents, pupils, supporting teaching and assessment and all pupils transition into adulthood. The SEN Code of Practice, outlines that all pupils with an EHCP as entitled to education that is appropriate to their needs, promotes a high standard and helps them fulfil their potential.
At Merryfields, we believe in building strong partnerships with our parents and carers. We recognise the vital role they play in their child’s wellbeing and education. Good communication with parents is essential to support our pupils. It allows us to provide a more holistic approach to learning and ensure all pupils needs are met effectively. We also complete annual parental surveys, have parent members of our Local Academy Board and encourage regular communication through our parental communication app. This collaborative approach, ensures we can best meet the needs of our pupils, whether this be their academic needs, their communicative needs, their sensory needs or their social needs.
Pupils within Merryfields are all provided with a ‘voice.’ We acknowledge the powerful impact our pupils can have on the direction of the school. All pupils are supported as individuals in Merryfields school, and this includes providing everyone with the opportunity to comment on their educational provision. Within school we have prefect and school council systems, providing pupils with the chance to not only support and represent the school, but also to act as role models within the school community. Pupils have been consulted on new playground developments, resourcing across school as well as our new school logo and branding.
Teaching and assessment within Merryfields is an essential element of supporting pupils and adhering to the SEND Code of Practice. Normal classroom practice includes differentiating activities and outcomes for pupils, providing scaffolding for learning, using resourcing to enable progress and providing varying communicative methods to enhance pupil learning. Assessment within Merryfields is based on our own assessment scales, known as the M Levels. These have been developed by our own staff and correlate with Early Years goals and age related expectations. Further information on this can be seen in our Teaching and Learning Policy and Curriculum Policy.
Within Merryfields, we provide opportunities for pupils to develop life and independence skills. These all support ‘transition into adulthood’ and are encapsulated within our school mission statement of ‘Nurturing a Love of Learning for Life.’ Supporting pupils to enhance their independence, social skills, communicative abilities is a constant occurrence within school and can be seen on a daily basis. This is achieved through curriculum learning opportunities, social mealtimes, daily snack time which provides communication opportunities and engagement in whole school activities including assembly and charity events. Furthermore, our curriculum and embedded British Values encourage all pupils and support not only their transition to the next phase of their education, but into adulthood.
Local Offer
We current accept pupil placements from Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent and Cheshire East local authorities. If you wish to learn more about the local offer from each of these districts, please follow the links below.