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

The name of the unit for children with special needs is the Communication Support Base (CSB). Watergate School is a primary school for 80 pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD). A number of its pupils have profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) including sensory impairments and physical disabilities. Some have social and communication difficulties and some have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Watergate provides quality education for all its pupils within a stimulating and supportive environment. The school offers an extended curriculum, including the National Curriculum which is tailored to suit each individual's needs. For pupils with an ASD the focus is on developing communication and social skills. A structured approach is employed, based on the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren (TEACCH) programme, providing pupils with predictability and routine throughout their school day. Communication is promoted through the use of the picture exchange communication system (PECS). The CSB works as a resource base offering support to classes. The school is federated with Greenvale School. Volunteers may be accepted to work with the pupils. Other facilities provided by the school are a meeting room and staff training facilities.

Aimed at: Child , Young person

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability