Fitzwaryn School is highly regarded as an outstanding provision for pupils with SEN within Oxfordshire.
The school has received four ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED reports following the last four inspections, the most recent being in May 2022
‘Fitzwaryn School is a joyful place to learn. From when they join as young children, right through to when they leave as young adults, staff make sure that pupils are known, understood, nurtured and kept very safe’ Ofsted 2022
The school currently caters for 125 children and young adults aged 3 – 19 years whose special needs range from Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) to Severe (SLD) and Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). All pupils admitted to the school have an Education, Health and Care Plan.
The school is situated in Wantage, a growing market town in the south of Oxfordshire. The pupils come from a large catchment area, and many are brought by taxi. The majority of pupils come from Wantage and Grove, Didcot and Abingdon, but there are also pupils on roll from West Berkshire and Swindon.
A major building programme was undertaken in 2008 that saw outdated 1970s accommodation being refurbished and new build added to enhance provision. These works resulted in a total transformation of the school. Further building work was completed in September 2018 to provide increased accommodation. The school is based in modern, purpose-built accommodation comprising of three buildings, including specialist rooms; a Sensory Room, Sensory Theatre, Sensory Gardens, Sensory Walkway, Jacuzzi, Horticulture area and suitably developed playground areas.
February 2013 saw the conversion of Fitzwaryn School (sponsor status) to a Multi Academy Trust within the Propeller Academy Trust (PAT). The school prides itself on the diverse and individual curriculum offer.
The school follows the EYFS curriculum for Foundation Stage pupils and National Curriculum subjects for Key Stages 1 – 3. Year 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) pupils work towards accreditation in Functional Skills in English, Maths in addition to their Open Award qualifications. At Key Stage 5, the school continues to follow the Open Award framework and Functional Skills Assessments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an integral part of the Key Stage 5 curriculum with students gaining their Bronze and Silver Awards. Students from the Student Centre also attend a weekly PE session run by sixth form students and teachers at the local Secondary School. Students are enabled to participate in regular work experience opportunities in addition to Enterprise initiatives and Horticulture.
At the end of Year 11, it is appropriate for some pupils to go on to access Further Education; others will join Fitzwaryn’s Student Centre (sixth form) and have the opportunity to stay until they are 19.
Off-site activities are an integral part of the curriculum e.g. swimming, hydrotherapy, RDA. The innovation of a polytunnel on site has enabled a horticulture strand to be added which is accessed by all pupils. Pupils have access to specialist teaching areas such as a music room,
Art room, D and T room, cookery room, a jacuzzi and a Sensory Theatre. The pupils are encouraged to take part in many sporting events at different locations competing against their mainstream and special school peers. Fitzwaryn works hard in the community to enable pupils to access society and there are regular community projects that facilitate this.
The Trust offers an Outreach/ Inreach facility providing advice, guidance and training to our mainstream partners. Fitzwaryn works effectively within a local partnership of schools; Springline Partnership of Schools comprising of 7 primaries and Fitzwaryn.
Fitzwaryn is a member of OSSA (Oxfordshire Special School Association) Membership allows access to a Heads group, a Deputies/Senior Leadership group and a Data Users Group.
After school clubs are provided by school staff (e.g. multi sports). Lunchtime clubs are provided by staff including a choir, football and dance club. Our Out of School Liaison Officer works with children and families to find appropriate out of school clubs; Yellow Submarine, the 14 Club, FAAAZE and Beatbox to name a few. There is also a ‘Friends Association’ (Friends of Fitzwaryn) that has a focus on fundraising.
Therapists are allocated to the school via a Service Level Agreement agreed with the LA. There is special school nursing provision on site for 4 days a week. All agencies work together to provide the highest quality provision for all the pupils.
According to the staff who work at Fitzwaryn the school’s greatest strengths are:
‘Leadership, Working as a team, Raising aspirations of pupils and parents, Putting the pupils first’
‘Supporting each other. Being adaptable. The pupils!’
‘I love working at Fitzwaryn. I think it is an amazing school because every child is treated as an individual and their specific needs are really treated as the most important thing’
Ofsted also recognised the strengths of the school:
‘Adults feel well supported in managing their workloads. Teaching Assistants especially value the professional training that enables them to be highly effective and integral members of the school team. Parents are full of praise for the school, as one said, ‘It does not get better than the team at Fitzwaryn. They have been integral to the progress that my child is making’ Ofsted May 2022
Staff Well Being is a priority within the school and there is a wide range of initiatives available to staff members, e.g. well being days, free tea and coffee, a staff fruit scheme, access to a Pilates teacher and vouchers for flu vaccinations to name a few.
Experience in a special school is desirable although not essential to work at the school. Many members of our current teaching staff have come from a mainstream background, bringing immense experience to the school. We have also been successful in recruiting and supporting ECTs who chose to start their careers with us.