The School

Critchill School is a specialist all-through establishment which provides education for approximately 80 pupils from the age of 4 to 19.

The school’s designation is for pupils with ‘Complex and severe learning needs.’ Pupils have a wide range of needs and abilities.

All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The school has been on the current site since 1977 and in recent years has had a number of major updates to learning spaces, specialist resource areas and external areas such as a sensory learning garden, playground and outdoor fitness area. The school has also invested in a catering van, bicycle maintenance workshop and therapy room.

The school is situated on the edge of the market town of Frome in Somerset in ‘green’ and spacious grounds. The school is a member of the Midsomer Norton School Partnership Multi-Academy Trust.

Each pupil’s needs are carefully and individually evaluated, so that within the context of the school’s well-developed and profoundly personalised curriculum, all of its pupils can aspire to reach exceptional standards.

The school believes that pupils should enjoy school and have fun whilst they learn. The staff team are deeply committed to work as a team to provide the opportunity for the very best in specialist education, enabling all children and young people to develop a full range of academic, functional and independent skills. They consistently seek out opportunities to work with parents, carers, other stakeholders and professionals to ensure continuity of approach and achieve best outcomes.

Careers Education and Guidance

The school is “very proud to have successfully achieved the Quality in Careers Standard, through the Awarding Body, CSW – Investor in Careers” and is now a full holder of the award for the next three years. This reflects the school’s strong commitment to provide impartial, independent careers education, information, advice and guidance to its students and their families.

The school has a diverse, engaging and aspirational CEIAG curriculum. It has been explicitly devised to ensure that pupils can make informed choices about their future whilst also developing the skills and capabilities that they will need for employment and to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Through the school’s CEIAG curriculum,  pupils are supported to achieve their full potential and be the best that they can be. The school measures success holistically. It recognises that it will be different for each pupil and that it can be measured in a number of ways including personal wellbeing, community engagement and sustainable employment.

CEIAG delivery begins in Early Years Foundation Stage and themes are revisited and advanced in order to allow for mastery and growth.

Staff ensure that CEIAG learning intentions complement a pupil’s ‘Personal Learning Intention Map’ and are profoundly personalised to ensure that the school ‘Addresses each pupil’s needs at their point of learning.’

Opportunities and experiences may include encounters with a range of employers, exploring a range of job roles, challenging stereotypes, reflecting on their individual abilities and planning next steps.

The school provides opportunities for pupils and their families to meet frequently with a Level 6 qualified independent Careers Adviser who supports and advises the work of the careers lead, staff and parents/ carers across the school.

The school works closely with the school’s Enterprise Co-Ordinator from ‘The Heart of the Southwest’ who provides challenge and feedback when considering the eight ‘Gatsby Benchmarks’, how the school meets them and further opportunities for improvement.

With the full backing of the senior leadership team and governors, the Careers programme continues to develop and ensure it is of the very highest quality.

Measuring the impact

Monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the Careers programme takes place regularly and the  positive transitions for students illustrate the impact the programme is having.  This includes successful transitions to colleges, supported internships and paid employment.

As part of the school’s ‘Working Futures programme’ the school offers regular work experience for all students from Year 10.  Students, staff and employers regularly track, plan and review these work placements.

The school is constantly working on expanding links with employers in a number of ways including opportunities for them to support teaching and learning in school, work based encounters and work experience. All teachers embed careers into their curriculum teaching.

Potential careers and future pathways are discussed throughout the academic year during annual reviews and pupil progress review meetings.

Assuring the quality of the careers provision

The school uses the Compass self-assessment tool and is further developing methods for students to record and evidence their careers and work-related learning, using the career pilot platform.

The school uses the Compass tool to ensure that students can give their feedback on the careers programme.

The Careers Leader concludes “As a  school we’re thrilled to have been externally assessed as ‘Fully meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks’  in achieving the national Quality in Careers Standard. We will continue to evaluate our provision to ensure further progression, with the aim of meeting the ever-changing needs of all of our children and young people – and retaining our Quality in Careers accreditation”.