Type of service: Day schools, Nursery and pre-schools, Schools

Service URL: http://columbusschoolandcollege.org

Formerly The Woodlands and Haywards Campus of The Chelmsford New Model Special School we are now called Columbus School and College, Chelmsford’s New Model Special School. Set over two campuses we provide education for children with a range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), severe learning disabilities (SLD), moderate learning disabilities (MLD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We currently have three Autism Specific Provisions (ASP's) catering for Key Stage 1 (KS1) / KS2, KS3 and KS4 all addressing the needs of our most severely autistic pupils. We currently use a combination of the TEACCH approach, PECS and some ABA methods all within a highly structured setting. Pupils benefit from a 'key skills' curriculum which addresses not only their academic entitlement but also the independent life skills they need to experience and master for later life. Learning takes place in the community as well as the classroom. This provides our students access to a wider context in which to develop communication skills independent living skills and experience new hobbies and pastimes. Pupils in ASP bases all benefit from transitioning into the main body of the school working alongside their peers on a daily basis. This arrangement benefits not only the pupils in ASP but more able students get given the opportunity to develop their social skills by helping those with additional needs and helps to build a strong community spirit.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Specialisms: Generic

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability