ABOUT FOSSE WAY SCHOOL

Fosse Way is a special school for children and young people with a very broad range of abilities. The school is co-educational and takes in children between the ages of 3 - 19. All our pupils, for a variety of reasons, find it difficult to be successful within mainstream schools as full-time pupils. All students have a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

During January 2006 the school was inspected by Ofsted and judged to be outstanding in all areas. The progress pupils make at Fosse Way is well above average, over the last three years the school has been placed in the national top 25% of Secondary schools by the DFES for "value added".

The school is situated in Norton-Radstock and draws pupils from a range of backgrounds, both urban and rural, across Bath and North-east Somerset and also neighbouring LEAs. It is comparatively small with 143 pupils currently on role.

Fosse Way caters for students with complex, severe and profound learning difficulties including autistic spectrum disorders. Pupils may have communication difficulties, sensory impairment and physical disabilities. The school offers specialist provision for male and female students with autistic spectrum disorders and has 12 residential places available for pupils who need an extended educational programme within a consistent and structured environment. For access reasons the residential provision is unsuitable for students who are wheelchair users. From September 2006 up to six students with ASD will be able to attend Norton Hill Comprehensive School supported by Fosse Way Staff.

The staff and governors aim to provide a high quality, relevant and balanced education for all the pupils, focusing on individual personal and academic achievement. Students are taught in small groups, usually with more than one member of staff in attendance. There is a happy and positive atmosphere in which children can fulfil their potential and grow in self-confidence with respect for the people and environment around them.

The quality of education on offer in a caring environment provides a positive choice for parents and young people. Fosse Way is committed to a strong partnership between home and school in order that pupils achieve high standards in all areas of the curriculum.

The school has an excellent reputation amongst parents and the local community, and is at the heart of a network of schools providing expertise, training and resources to both teaching and non-teaching professionals, parents and carers of children with learning difficulties.

As an extension to Fosse Way's commitment to being a centre of excellence for the provision of specialist education within the school and the wider community, it has been awarded Technology College status. This will enable the school to develop further its teaching expertise for the wide range of special needs of its pupils and to raise the standard of achievement through the use of modern technological applications. This development includes provision of additional technology classrooms and professional development areas.