A SUPPORTIVE environment and a creative curriculum are helping pupils at Longspee Academy reach their full potential – socially and emotionally as well as academically.

This is the high standard set by the community at the Canford Heath specialist school for children with a range of social, emotional and mental health issues.

It is a small, welcoming environment, where staff and parents tell of positivity, care and real success stories.

Vice principle Sharon Burt, who has been at the school for 12 years, explained: “We very much look at the whole child and the individual needs of the pupil and try to remove the barriers to make sure they make the best possible progress.”

The school follows a creative curriculum providing opportunities for lessons outside of the classroom, and making use of more physical learning activities. The idea is to engage and motivate the children to learn – and they make outstanding progress as a result.

“They achieve very well,” added Mrs Burt. “Often children start with huge gaps academically. We work hard to get a strong baseline assessment and provide a very targeted, engaging curriculum that closes the gaps as quickly as possible.

“From that starting point they achieve at least good progress and in many cases outstanding progress over time. Quite often they have experienced rejection, or had negative experiences of school or in a home situation. I think the positive nurturing relationships that staff develop with pupils, and by reaching out to families, it enables them to develop trust and confidence, increase self esteem, and enjoy the feeling of success. Some of our children have not necessarily felt what it’s like to be successful before.”

The school has just 46 pupils, aged from five to 13, in classes of around seven, each with a teacher and two teaching assistants. Its facilities include an art design and music room, hall, library, two playgrounds and a playing field, and a number of individual study areas for bespoke learning sessions for individuals or small groups.

As well a strong focus on academic development there is an emphasis on the children’s emotional well-being and social development.

“We have a strong pastoral team that provides a wrap around support across the day,” added Mrs Burt. That includes two emotional literacy support staff supporting the development of key social skills, a pastoral family liaison, and two specialists in behaviour for learning.

In September 2013 Longspee became an academy under the umbrella of the Ambitions Academies Trust, which includes Tregonwell Academy and Queen’s Park Academy.

“We are going from one success to another, and we want to continue to build on what we have achieved,” added Mrs Burt. “We aim to return pupils to mainstream when appropriate, and if it is what the children and parents or carers want. Last term we had two pupils successfully return to mainstream school.”

Personally she is as passionate about the work as she ever was. “I absolutely love it,” she added. “It is just such a privilege to be able to help the children grow in confidence and develop their independence. You know it is going to help them build a successful future, and enable them to flourish as healthy, happy people.”

Factfile:

Longspee Academy, Learoyd Road, Canford Heath, Poole, BH17 8PJ
Telephone 01202 380266
Email: reception@longspeeschool.co.uk
Website: longspeeacademy.co.uk
Principal: Nicki Morton Number of pupils: 44 + 2 assessment places
Age range: 5 – 13
While positive the most recent Ofsted inspection report was prior to the school’s conversion to an academy, so now not applicable.