TADSS

TADSS – The Teaching Alliance of Dorset Special Schools (TADSS), is an alliance of five schools that cater for a wide range of pupils with special needs and disabilities (SEND).

Our schools contain highly trained teachers and teaching assistants who endeavour to provide the best possible teaching and learning environment for our pupils. Our day-to-day experience is a rich resource that we are keen to share.

Our aim is to develop a collaborative approach to the education, support and inspiration of pupils with SEND, both within our schools and mainstream settings. We want to support all pupils with SEND in our region and offer a wide range of opportunities to our colleagues in other settings, including those who work in mainstream education. You can find out about our courses and training offers on this website and on social media. Ring us for support on 01305 833 518 or email tadss@westfield.dorset.sch.uk for information or advice.

TADSS is a partner of the South Central Teaching School Hub. Our role in the SCTSH is to support the development and implementation of the Early Career Framework (ECF), National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) and CPD.


Beaucroft Foundation School

Beaucroft Logo

Beaucroft Foundation School is a school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, many of whom have additional complex difficulties and/or disabilities, mainly autistic spectrum disorders or sensory impairments. The school provides specialist provision for the eastern region of Dorset.


Mountjoy School

Mountjoy Logo

Mountjoy is a Special School located in the heart of West Dorset. We pride ourselves in being a warm and close-knit community of learners. We work with young people between the ages of 2.5 and 19 to maximise their potential for learning and independence. As an integral part of the local and wider community, we work strongly with a variety of multi-agency professionals: as a school we believe that we are ‘stronger together’.


Westfield Arts College

Westfield Logo

Westfield Arts College is a 4-19, Dorset special school serving the needs of 180 children and young people with moderate and complex learning difficulties. Half of our pupils have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in addition to their learning need. Westfield pupils are taught the full National Curriculum, adapted and delivered at a pace that suits their rate of learning. In addition, a very strong emphasis is placed on the wider curriculum, hands on learning and independent living skills.


Wyvern Academy

Wyvern is a specialist school for cognition and learning, providing highly individualised education for up to 86 pupils aged 2 – 19 years with complex learning difficulties, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The majority of pupils educated at Wyvern have substantial global developmental delay, emergent communication skills and are highly dependent. Some may have additional disabilities such as cerebral palsy, sensory impairment, autism and/or complex needs including challenging behaviour.


Yewstock School

Yewstock Logo

Yewstock School is a day community school for children with profound and multiple (PMLD), Severe (SLD), Moderate (MLD) or complex learning difficulties. Some children have additional sensory or physical impairments, speech and language disorders or medical needs, others are statemented as being within the autistic spectrum. The school provides for 131 children and students between the ages of 2 and 19 years.