Middle

The Middle Department at Beaucroft currently has six classes that cover the age range from ten to thirteen (Years 6 to 8). The children are placed in classes depending on a variety of factors such as cognitive ability, communication needs and peer relationships. The classes are:

Corfe

Portland

Lulworth

Purbeck

Arne

Brownsea

Each class has one teacher and at least two teaching assistants. Class sizes vary from six pupils up to twenty pupils and class sizes are determined by pupil need and curriculum pathways. Pupils in the Middle department follow either a Pre-Formal, Semi-Formal or Formal curriculum with many pupils accessing elements of the nurture curriculum.

Through our engaging and meaningful curriculum we support all of our pupils to engage, enjoy and achieve whilst developing their self esteem and resilience in preparation for adulthood.

At Beaucroft we recognise that every pupil is an individual and therefore we work hard to ensure we meet their individual needs and support them to THRIVE and to be thoughtful and caring, happy and safe, resilient, independent, valued and empowered.

We believe that there are five essential areas of learning and these must be part of everything that we do. Learning takes place all day in every type of situation, location, and activity.

The five areas of learning are:

  • Independence
  • Communication
  • Social and Emotional
  • Sensory and Physical
  • Cognition

These areas are the backbone of our curriculum that is enriched with our topics.

As much as possible, pupils are offered the chance to continue their learning outside the classroom through outings into the local community. This supports pupils to generalise the skills they learn in the classroom into real life situations.

The pupils in the Middle Department are supported to develop greater independence and maturity throughout their time with us. We have a Total Communication environment throughout the school where staff use a range of signing, photos, and verbal language to support the pupils’ communication and interaction with others.

There is a Parents’ Consultation Evening once each term where parents have the opportunity to meet with their child’s class teacher. Every pupil also has a School Planner which we encourage parents and pupils to write in and which teachers write in to support communication between school and home. Once a year each pupil has a Person Centred Review (PCR) meeting to review their Statement of Educational Needs or Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and to identify what is important for the young person now and in the future. Parents/carers, the pupil, education staff and relevant outside agencies are invited to attend and each meeting ends with a concrete action plan with actions that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound).