St. Giles Special School, Retford - Nottinghamshire Local Authority School
St Giles School is an inspiring, exciting and aspirational school for children and young people aged 3-18 with a broad range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, from moderate/severe to profound and multiple, which includes those with autism and associated behaviours.
St Giles School provides highly specialised and personalised education to children and young people with Education Health and Care Plans from across the whole of the Bassetlaw, which is the most northerly district of Nottinghamshire.
Last Updated
Record Last Updated On:
Contact Details
- Contact Name
- Matt Rooney
- Contact Position
- Principal
- Telephone
- 01777703683 01777703683 01777703683 01777703683
- office@st-giles.notts.sch.uk
- Website
- www.st-giles.notts.sch.uk
- Scan to visit this website
- Social Media
Where to go
- Name
- St. Giles School, Retford
- Address
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St Giles School
Babworth Road
Retford
Nottinghamshire - Postcode
- DN22 7NJ
- View on a map
Time, Costs and Availability
Time / Date Details
- When is it on
- Open 08:30 - 16:30, Monday to Friday, Term Time Only
- Time of day
-
Afternoon
Morning
Costs
-
Table of Costs Amount Cost Type free Free
Availability
- Age Ranges
- 3 - 18 years
- Referral Required?
- Referral required
- Referral Details
Placements at St Giles are managed through the Education Health Care Plan process, by Nottinghamshire County Council
Additional Local Offer Information
Local Offer
- Description
St Giles is an inspiring, exciting and aspirational school for children and young people aged 3-18 with a broad range of difficulties from moderate/severe to profound and multiple, which includes those with autism and associated behaviours. Our school serves the whole of the Bassetlaw area, which is the most northerly district of Nottinghamshire.
We’re also a growing school. We have been commissioned to expand our provision by 35 places from September 2024, with the introduction of four brand new classes! St Giles is situated in the market town of Retford. There are currently 170 pupils on roll - including students who attend our Early Years Provision and Post 16.
Our pupils are encouraged to work in a stimulating and caring environment, where they are taught that ‘no dreams are out of reach’. Our aim is to develop the full potential of individual children involving teachers, other professionals and parents in partnership. There are 21 classes, led by 21 teachers, 3 Assistant Head Teachers and a Principal. Pupils are also enabled in their learning by 50 teaching assistants and a team of 20 Personal Care Assistants provide a variety of interventions to ensure the comfort of pupils. Administrative support is led by the Office Manager, assisted by 4 Administrators.
We also have a team of Health Care Support Workers, an ICT technician, a caretaker and cleaning team. School also commissions services from art, drama and music therapists, a sensory occupational therapist and an EHCP co-ordinator. In addition, the school has regular support from visiting nurses, paediatricians, speech therapists, physio therapists, occupational therapists and a Senior Educational psychologist.
Our purpose-built school was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Kent in 2012 and includes, teaching classrooms and specialist areas such as, music and art suites. Additional specialist facilities including hydrotherapy pool, soft play room and an interactive sensory room provide opportunities for a highly personalised learning environment.
The school also has extensive grounds with play areas equipped with trim-trails, swings, round-a-bouts, trampolines, a multi surface court and interactive sensory exploration area. St. Giles School aims to develop the full potential our pupils by providing a broad based and balanced curriculum which is individually tailored to the needs of each pupil.
Our specialist Curriculum includes National Curriculum and its pre-requisites, sensory education, communication skills, a wide ranging personal and social education programme, mobility education, and a well-developed post 16 education programme.
Our pupils are based in teaching groups according to their ability and more loosely their chronological age. There are currently four teams, focussing on formal, semiformal and pre-formal teaching. Each teaching group is the responsibility of a teacher, supported by at least one teaching assistant. Phases (primary, secondary and post 16) are encouraged to work collaboratively, resulting in a positive life-long approach to learning, which prepares our pupils for adulthood from their earliest years.
Our school has a long tradition of community involvement; we are supported by a highly effective network of ‘Friends of St Giles’ and have a coffee shop in town run by our older students, which not only provides a great interface with our local community, it also supports students to hone their functional and independence skills. St. Giles aims for strong links with parents. School diaries provide a daily link between home and school. Newsletters, a parents’ hub, review meetings and parents’ evenings all form part of our broader communication system.
St. Giles School and Nottinghamshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share our commitment
- Contact Name
- Matt Rooney
- Contact Telephone
- 01777703683
- Contact Email
- office@st-giles.notts.sch.uk
- Links
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Schools Extended Local Offer Response
1. What kinds of special educational needs does the school/setting make provision for?
St Giles School is an inspiring, exciting and aspirational school for children and young people aged 3-18 with a broad range of special educational needs and/or disabilities, from moderate/severe to profound and multiple, which includes those with autism and associated behaviours.
St Giles School provides highly specialised and personalised education to children and young people with Education Health and Care Plans from across the whole of the Bassetlaw, which is the most northerly district of Nottinghamshire.
3.a) How does the school/setting evaluate the effectiveness of its provision for pupils with special educational needs?
St Giles has a rigorous cycle of self-evaluation to ensure the provision is effective and meets the needs of our learners. We consult with parents and carers and work closely with an Education Improvement Advisor to ensure our school continues to improve and develop to maximise the outcomes for our students.
3.b) How will both the school/setting and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will the school/setting help me to support their learning?
We monitor the progress of every learner on a termly basis which allows us to identify early intervention opportunities and have pupil progress meetings with teaching staff where necessary. Communication between home and school is very important and we communicate on a daily basis through home school diaries. We hold regular formal and informal parents' afternoons/evening which give the opportunity to discuss in more detail the progress of all learners.
3.c) What is the school's approach to teaching pupils with special educational needs?
Our pupils are encouraged to work in a stimulating and caring environment, where they are taught that ‘no dreams are out of reach’. Our aim is to develop the full potential of individual children involving teachers, other professionals and parents in partnership. There are 17 classes, led by 17 teachers, 3 Assistant Head Teachers and a Principal. Pupils are also enabled in their learning by 50 teaching assistants and a team of 20 Personal Care Assistants provide a variety of interventions to ensure the comfort of pupils.
We also have a team of Health Care Support Workers, an ICT technician, a caretaker and cleaning team. School also commissions services from art, drama and music therapists, a sensory occupational therapist and an EHCP co-ordinator. In addition, the school has regular support from visiting nurses, paediatricians, speech therapists, physio therapists, occupational therapists and a Senior Educational psychologist.
3.d) How will the curriculum and learning be matched to my child/young person's needs?
Our highly specialist Curriculum includes National Curriculum and its pre-requisites, sensory education, communication skills, a wide ranging personal and social education programmes, mobility education, and a well-developed post 16 education programme.
Our pupils are based in teaching groups according to their ability and more loosely their chronological age. There are currently four teams, focussing on formal, semiformal and pre-formal teaching. Each teaching group is the responsibility of a teacher, supported by at least one teaching assistant. Phases (primary, secondary and post 16) are encouraged to work collaboratively, resulting in a positive life-long approach to learning, which prepares our pupils for adulthood from their earliest years.
3.e) How are decisions made about the type and amount of support my child/young person will receive?
When your child joins St Giles we ensure that we have a thorough understanding of your child’s needs through discussions with parents and carers and the previous school, where applicable. This allows us to identify exactly what support is needed to maximise progress and development both socially and academically. These levels of support are discussed with class teachers, parents and carers on an ongoing basis to ensure we are continually offering the most suitable level of support for the individual pupil.
3.f) How will my child/young person be included in activities outside the classroom, including school trips?
We have a number of lunchtime clubs available to students and regular appropriate trips to support the learning of our pupils. All activities and trips are carefully planned and risk assessed to ensure the safe inclusion of every pupil.
We run a broad enrichment programme, which provides a wonderful range of extra curricular activities.
3.g) What support will there be for my child/young person's overall well-being?
All pupils are allocated a key worker who has a specific responsibility for the welfare, care and pastoral provision, under the guidance of the class teacher. Our curriculum offers tailored Physical, Social, Health Education (PHSE) to meet the needs of our students
5.a) What training have staff supporting special educational needs had and what is planned?
We have an ongoing programme of training and development for all staff covering all aspects of working with and supporting young people with special educational needs. We work regularly with outside agencies to ensure our staff are equipped with the necessary skills required to offer the best provision possible. Changes in legislation are passed on to all staff as they happen.
5.b) What specialist services and expertise are available or accessed by the setting/school?
We work closely with many different services that provide support for young people and families, these services include:
- The Educational Psychology Service
- Schools and Families Specialist Services
- Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction,
- Sensory Impairments and Physical Disabilities,
- Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
- Special Community Nursing,
- Community Paediatrics
- Child and Adult Mental Health services (CAMHS)
- Social Care
- Targeted Support
6. How will equipment and facilities to support pupils with special educational needs secured? How accessible is the school/setting?
We work very closely with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to ensure all specialist equipment is in place and suitable for the needs of our young people. Staff are given the appropriate training with regular updates. All educational facilities are located on the ground floor. School’s own transport is adapted to meet the needs of all our young people.
7. What are the arrangements for consulting parents of pupils with special educational needs? How will be I involved in the education of my child/young person?
Communication between home and school is essential and we value the input from parents and carers. Staff are always willing to meet with parents and carers to discuss any matters relating to their child.
In addition we have:
- Home/school diary for day to day communication
- Termly parents evenings/afternoons
- Formal annual reviews
- Informal coffee afternoons
8. What are the arrangements for consulting young people with SEN and involving them in their education?
We have a student council that meets on a regular basis with senior management to discuss their views and the views of the cohort. Person centred reviews offer an opportunity for students to have a say in their own education. Transition reviews give students the opportunity to have their input and share their views about their own education.
9. What do I do if I have a concern or complaint about the SEN provision made by the school/setting?
As a school we are constantly striving to improve the provision we provide. Views and feedback from parents is essential to our ongoing process of improvement in order to provide the best possible education for all our pupils. If you have a concern or complaint regarding the provision speak to the school via your child’s class teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The school's complaint procedure is available on the school website.
10. How does the governing body involve other organisations and services (e.g. health, social care, local authority support services and voluntary organisations) in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and supporting the families of such pupils?
Governor’s delegate the responsibility to the Principal to ensure the holistic needs all pupils are met. We have a member of staff designated to parent liaison who has a vast knowledge of external services available within the county and can offer advice and guidance to all parents and carers.
11. How does the school/setting seek to signpost organisations, services etc who can provide additional support to parents/carers/young people?
Information is passed to parents and carers via the school website, the home/school diaries or specific parent/carer events. The Nottinghamshire County Council Local Offer is a comprehensive directory of local services, opportunities and access for children and young people with SEN and disabilities in the area.
12. How will the school/setting prepare my child/young person to: i) Join the school/setting?
Every young person’s needs differ when they make a transition between schools or classes. We recognise the need to have a flexible approach to transition that allows us to adapt to those specific needs. The aim is always to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible for students and parents/carers. A transition plan will be agreed based on the information provided by the previous school/teacher, parents and carers and the young person when possible.
ii) Transfer between phases of education (e.g. early years to primary, primary to secondary etc)?
Every young person’s needs differ when they make a transition between schools or phases. We recognise the need to have a flexible approach to transition that allows us to adapt to those specific needs. The aim is always to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible for students and parents/carers. A transition plan will be agreed based on the information provided by the previous school/teacher, parents and carers and the young person when possible.
iii) Prepare for adulthood and independent living?
Throughout all key stages our curriculum is designed to incorporate personal and social development and independence. As pupils progress through the key stages the there is more focus on preparation for adulthood including independent living/life skills, work experience and PSHE. Annual reviews give parents/carers, pupils and school the opportunity to discuss and plan the ‘next steps’ for independence and adulthood.
13. Where can I access further information?
- Nottinghamshire County Council website - SEND Local Offer www.nottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk
- Arranging an appointment to come and see us - please contact the school office by telephoning 01777 703683 or emailing office@st-giles.notts.sch.uk
- Nottinghamshire County Council website - SEND Local Offer www.nottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk
- Arranging an appointment to come and see us - please contact the school office by telephoning 01777 703683 or emailing office@st-giles.notts.sch.uk
