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Bishopswood is a special school in South Oxfordshire that provides specialist education for 75 children aged 4—16 years with severe (SLD) or profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs, including those children with ASD. We are a school that prides itself in providing innovative learning techniques to meet the wide-ranging needs of our pupils.

With an inclusive ethos Bishopswood endeavours to provide specialist provision alongside its co-located mainstream partners on tow sites; our main primary department which is co-located with Sonning Common primary school and Bishopswood’s secondary provision at Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, Sonning Common.

As a small but strong community of people we are committed to providing outstanding teaching and learning for our pupils which is achieved by working in close partnership with our families, professionals, governors and the wider community to deliver a tailored and inclusive education for every pupil.

Bishopswood benefits from strong leadership at both school and governance level with a clear strategic plan for improvement in place. At the Propeller Academy Trust, our guiding principle is to be a Trust providing quality educational offerings alongside excellent facilities, whilst maximising each school's potential. The vision is for every school in the Trust to be a centre of excellence for education, building a collaborative ethos and maximising opportunities for staff and young people.

our ethos

              ...where every child is a valued individual....

Aims

• To develop and enhance the ability of each individual to have dignity and exercise personal choice
• To apply approaches to teaching and learning that are proven to be effective
• To provide pupils with the most appropriate means of mobility, communication and self expression
• To encourage pupils to develop independent living skills to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need in the future
• To offer an environment which is safe, stimulating, creative, challenging and fun

Values

• We appreciate the unique contribution made by each pupil to the life of the school
• We believe the understanding and mutual respect that follows the development of closer links between Bishopswood, our partner schools and the wider community benefits all involved
• We recognise the positive support that parents and carers provide in helping us to deliver our stated aims for each child
• We celebrate the achievements, no matter how big or small, made by individual pupils
• We recognise the importance of teamwork and the different roles and skills contributed by individual staff or groups of staff

Why choose Bishopswood School? 

Here is some feedback from our parents over the past 2 years. 

“There is far more structure to the school over the past 18 months…” 

“There is great enrichment – sensory rooms, sports, swimming, horse riding, theatre, stay and play sessions have been brilliant, as well as coffee mornings” 

“Parent communication and pupil development… my child has made so much progress” 

“Calm, unflappable approach to inclusive learning” 

“Kind and helpful staff” 

“Teaching our child new skills – changing his and our lives!” 

“Good education, attitude and communication with parents” 

“I have a very good experience in the school every time I visit, LSA, class teachers, teachers, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher, office staff, all school management are very active and quick to respond.  All staff are very familiar and friendly, quick response, as a parent, our phone calls, emails, visits are all welcoming.  Someone to always say help and goodbye.  Children are very positive and there is an anti-bullying environment.  They do their activities with calming, greeting, comfortable with each other and staff are calm and happy” 

“There is care and nurturing of the children.  The staff look after the children well and have their best interests at heart.  There is strong leadership and there is a clear vision for the school.  Expectations are communicated and there is a genuine desire for the children to have the best learning experiences at school.” 

“There are a small number of classes and focus on children’s emotional development and speech, children can learn and practice new skills, horse riding, swimming, tennis.  No unauthorised people can get into the school” 

“Caring and supporting special needs children very well and a happy atmosphere” 

“Openness, creativity and committed” 

“Kind and helpful teachers and staff” 

“Communication is a strength” 

“Overall care and professionalism of the staff are strengths of the school”