Message from our Chair of Governors
We are delighted to share this inaugural Year in Review document which we hope will be an annual fixture in informing our Fairley families, our wonderful staff, as well as the wider special educational needs (SEN) industry about the year’s important numbers and narratives at Fairley House.
2024 has been highly eventful with positive growth in pupil numbers, student attainment remaining excellent, curricular and co-curricular opportunites expanding across both our Junior and Senior Departments, and exciting developments in our search for a new premises.
At the time of writing we have welcomed two glowing inspections at the school over the last eighteen months. The first from OFSTED reviewed our provision and facilites and authorised us to increase our capacity to 250 children. As well as giving us the opportunity to deliver our Fairley House magic to many more students, it also enables us to pursue our broader strategic vision for the school.
Our CReSTeD inspection was highly positive, with the organisation renewing our kitemark and providing a ringing endorsement in their official report, “Fairley House is a remarkable place. It delivers the best in specialist education and continues to be a flagship school, supporting students who experience a broad range of learning differences”.
Most excitingly, after much determination and hard work from the Governors and senior staff, we have completed the purchase of 202 Lambeth Road. It holds the promise of being a fantastic new premises for Fairley House including direct access to excellent play areas and sports facilities.
“It has been another wonderful year at Fairley House with fantastic things to look back on, and even more exciting days ahead. Our Fairley future is looking very bright indeed.
Despite the challenging times for employers, and private schools in particular, we are confident about the profound need for Fairley House, now and in the future. This building represents an investment into the continued success of the school. The new premises has been used as an office for many years and requires a full refurbishment to be fit for our purposes. Hence, we will be launching a large-scale fundraising initative in the coming months and look forward to engaging with the PTA on this. Thank you to those parents (and their contacts) who helped bring the building purchase to a successful conclusion. I look forward to working proactively together to deliver a fantastic refurbishment that will benefit generations of children to come.
As always it has been a huge presonal privilege meeting our families throughout the year, whether that be at termly prizegivings, parents and professional evenings, drama productions or at other events through the year. Thank you for your continued support of our wonderful school.
I would like to take this opportunity to also thank the dedicated Fairley House staff and my fellow governors for the work they undertake on a daily basis to transform the lives and learning outcomes of so many children and young people. Your work is appreciated by so many.
On that note it would be remiss of me not to mention our former Head and great friend Dr. Jackie Murray who was a proud champion of everyone in the Fairley House community. Her passing just over a year ago came as a great shock but her legacy lives on in every SEN professional she trained and inspired, and every child she taught and empowered. We will carry on her life’s work so that no matter the learning challenges you face, nothing is impossible. May we all go into 2025 in that same inimitable spirit.
Tina Tietjen | Chair of Governors, December 2024
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Vision from our Head
To ensure Fairley House is the pre-eminent SpLD school in the UK and a pioneering centre of knowledge in the field of SEN.
Our context
Fairley House was founded in 1982, a pioneering initiative by Daphne Hamilton-Fairley to help young children at a time when no specialist provision existed for pupils with specific learning differences.
Today, the school occupies two sites in Central London educating over 200 children annually. Thanks to our magic formula for success our students are able to transform their learning outcomes and truly maximise their potential.
As serving Head I am the current custodian of a proud and pioneering heritage, which now encompasses not just a school but an industry-leading Assessment Centre and Teacher Training Centre as well.
Our principles
To achieve our vision for Fairley House we must be ambitious and brave, capturing the essence of our founding principles but ensuring they remain relevant for what a world-class education means in the twenty-first century:
- To be proud of how we teach: we frequently tell prospective parents that if children do not learn the way we teach, we will teach the way they learn. This involves a tailored, flexible, multi-disciplinary approach focused on each and every child.
- To deliver a world class learning environment: we need to equip our students and staff with the right facilities and resources to excel every day.
To this end we are delighted to have acquired a new building ready for occupation in 2026 which will hugely boost the educational experience for all.
- To deliver on our promise: we aim to transform the learning outcomes of our students, and empower them to raise their ambitions and believe that ‘all of a sudden...nothing is impossible”
- To employ and train the very best staff: we look to recruit dedicated and passionate staff across all
“We need to constantly evolve our offering and retain the pioneering spirit that defines Fairley House”
functions, and support them so they can perform to the absolute best of their abilities.
- Share best practice and knowledge: we have deep expertise which we seek to share with other schools and institutions to improve awareness and knowledge of SpLD, and positively contribute to research and public discourse around SEN issues.
- To continually pioneer: we need to constantly improve and evolve our offering to remain at the forefront of education. We must retain this pioneering spirit which has defined Fairley House since our inception over four decades ago.
“Our students are able to transform their learning outcomes and truly maximise their potential”
The
Dr. Jackie Murray playground at the Fairley House Junior Department.
Academic and curricular provision
A brilliant twelve months of inspiring learning from Years 2 - 11 at Fairley House
It has been an extremely busy year in the classrooms of both the Junior and Senior Departments with a renewed focus on the core and soft skills we want our students to be able to exhibit, and ensuring we provide the equipment and resources needed to help them fulfill their potential.
Reading and writing approach
One of the many benefits of the small class sizes and level playing field at Fairley House is that the students feel more open about discussing their learning challenges and supporting each other in overcoming them.
The Junior Department’s Director of Studies Mr. James Roberts observes that making situations in the classroom more like real-life has paid dividends with students embracing map and sign reading, following recipes and handling money. Checklists help students reduce their anxiety and aids their executive function such as organisational skills. Extended registration time has been pivotal to why this has improved immeasurably over 2024.
By the same token the Senior Department has introduced a greater variety of specialist seating and fidget tool boxes in every classroom to help ensure every student is as focused as possible.
There have been more tech resources introduced than ever before with extended use of assistive technology (notably headphones and microphones) at Causton Street and deployment of AI in dictation like Clicker 8 and test-to-speak
which has helped students access numeracy and literacy tasks at Lambeth Road.
Developing what we do
Our magic formula for success at Fairley House works time after time, but we are constantly adapting and honing our approach.
In the Junior Department we have evolved how we deliver Motor Maths so it now takes place in the OT gym and integrates even more multi-sensory activity to better aid understanding and knowledge recall.
“There have been more tech-related resources introduced than ever before to increase access to learning”
In the Senior Deparment we are using learning tools such as coloured overlays more consistently as well as dictation software during English study.
Day trips to such places as the Apple Store in Covent Garden and the V&A in South Kensington has helped bring subjects to life and greater diversity to the students’ learning experience.
We were delighted with our biggest ever cohort undertaking GCSEs across 19 subjects with fantastic effort and determination from Years 10 and 11 as they fully applied themselves to the completion of their coursework and examinations.
“I was delighted by the mature approach of our Year 11s as they undertook their GCSEs during the Summer Term. Their systematic and calm approach was testament to their positive mentality, as well as the planning of the staff incorporating clear explanations, modelling, scaffolding and revision techniques.
This year saw our biggest cohort ever taking public examinations with more access arrangements and individual provisions required than ever before. Not only were the logistical challenges successfully navigated, but the students achieved a fantastic set of results which they should be rightly proud of”
Ms Hamilton Director of Studies
MY 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Creative and Expressive Arts
Artistic excellence has always been a hallmark of Fairley House, and 2024 was no exception.
All manner of creative pursuits; art, design, drama, and music, to name but a few, have been taught this year, with many students pursuing their creative vision with great passion and flair.
Art and Design Technology
Work across art, textiles and design technology has been of a consistently high standard this year with more students than ever before choosing to study the subjects all the way to Key Stage 4.
A multitude of projects took shape in the Senior Department DT studio including dice, key fobs, sellotape dispensers, chair designs, and many, many more.
There were in-person workshops provided by experts in their field including printmaking from Artichoke and drawing from We Explore Drawing to engage and enthuse the students.
Junior Department provision was boosted with a Cricut machine which enables designs to be cut on vinyl and transferred onto other materials, while the school’s 3D printers brought abstract ideas to tangible reality.
Drama and Music
The year was punctuated by some unforgettable performances of The Jungle Book by Year 6, Oliver by Year 7 and Bugsy Malone featuring the multi-faceted talents of Year 8. The children gave their absolute all and displayed great confidence and commitment on stage.
Key Stage 4 dramatists enjoyed trips to the West End to take in hit musical Mrs Doubtfire and a tour and workshop at The Globe where they could glean top tips on movement and stage presence from a professional actor.
Prizegivings featured stunning musical performances from singers and instrumentalists and were invariably delivered to great acclaim. For the first time ever we had a drum recital at Lambeth Road which featured all drummers taking one-on-one lessons at the Junior Department.
“Work across art, textiles and design technology has been a consistently high standard across the school”
Digital audio workstream Bandlab has been deployed to compose music, loops and keyboards. Noise Academy sessions have been made available to some Senior Department children at lunchtime so they can try their hand at mixing and re-programming music tracks.
2025 promises to be just as action-packed with Year 6 due to take part in Young Voices, the UK’s biggest youth choir, and talent shows and planned productions of Aladdin and Grease across both our Junior and Senior Departments. It promises to bring a whole new world of dramatic excitement on those long, summer nights!
Ms Hood Design Teacher
It has been absolutely brilliant to see so many of our students find textiles a highly creative and fulfilling pursuit as part of their Art and Design learning.
It is a privilege to witness first-hand the mindfulness and keen focus on their faces as they attend to their latest designs which can include printing on fabric, banners, or even digital formats.
We are delighted to offer students free choice on their Key Stage 4 projects so they can follow through on their own creative vision and could lead to the development of something purely artistic, or even a usable product.
We deliberately inculcate a calm, supportive atmosphere so the Art and Design Department is not just a place for unbridled creativity, but positive wellbeing too.
MY 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Sport and extra-curricular activities
Participation and effort is celebrated just as much as success and natural talent.
Fairley House has always been so much more than what goes on in the classroom. Sporting and extra-curricular activity offers an important change in environment during the school day, an opportunity for movement breaks and to build key life skills like perseverance and teamwork.
Sport
2024 has been an incredible year for sporting endeavour, filled with new opportunities, achievements, and progress across the school. We proudly introduced new sports, ventured into exciting venues, and witnessed remarkable growth in our students’ skills and confidence.
This year, we added Pickleball, Rowing, and Tennis to our curriculum and Games sessions, broadening the horizons of what our students can experience and enjoy. Competitive football fixtures were the focus of our inter-school sporting contests, including our Under 11 football team being runners-up in the Eaton Square football tournament.
Another highlight of the year was our annual Sports Day in Battersea Park. Despite the inclement weather there was a fantastic turnout, and the day was its usual celebration of collaboration, determination, and fun, with everyone doing their best for their houses.
The foundation of our sporting success lies in the dedication of our passionate teachers, who lead Games sessions with enthusiasm, unwavering support, and infectious smiles, fostering a vibrant sporting culture within our school community.
Extra-curricular activities
2024 marked the second year of offering LAMDA sessions to students that have expressed a specific interest in musical drama in certain year groups. This has been fantastic in piquing budding actors’ ambitions and aiding their performative skills.
Similarly, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is a recent initiative we have introduced on a limited basis while we assess its popularity and feasibility to potentially rollout to additional year groups.
“We proudly introduced new sports and ventured into exciting venues”
This love for the outdoors is something we want to inculcate, particularly given our central London location, and so we have organised some short, residential trips to different parts of the country. This year, outings for Years 5-8 included South Wales, Hertfordshire and Derbyshire respectively.
The independence and life skills the students can develop on these trips is a wonderful thing to behold, and is an experience that really bonds year groups together.
We are always looking at new opportunities within extra-curricular provision that can broaden all students’ experiences and unlock their talents.
Mr. Marques Head of Sport
It has been such a fantastic year on the sports field with almost too many highlights to mention. For the first time in our history, Fairley House participated in the prestigious ESFA Small Schools Cup. Competing in such a challenging tournament was a huge milestone for a school of our size, and it was inspiring to see our students’ unwavering enthusiasm and motivation.
We built on our recent cross-country success with the team qualifying for the regional finals, and two students qualifying for the national finals. Everyone should feel proud of their efforts and it shows how Running Club continues to breed fantastic athletes.
Looking more broadly across the school it has been an absolute privilege to lead our boys and girls out to enjoy their physical exercise, day in and day out.
MY 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Research, Training and Outreach
We seek to spread knowledge and best practice to benefit SEN children everywhere.
Fairley House has always strived to be a leading light in contributing to SEN research studies and partnering with professionals and educational institutions to improve SpLD knowledge and understanding. We have hugely expanded our outreach efforts to help spread the benefits of our expertise far beyond the confines of our school.
Parents and Professionals Events
We have been delighted to welcome so many parents and professionals into Fairley House to listen to our in-house experts or external speakers on a wide range of relevant topics over the last twelve months.
In February we held our Parents and Professionals Evening titled ‘A Sense of Sleep’ with Michelle Cyril MSc sharing tips and insight into why a good night’s sleep is essential for strong cognitive ability and performance.
Our OT team led Coffee Mornings on executive function; namely, how to improve young people’s organisation and routines, as well as talking professionals through the benefits of sensory circuits and the optimal way to structure and deliver them.
Three Fairley House staff jointly delivered a talk focused on how to empower neurodiverse learners through the use of technology, while managing associated risks like screen dependence and online safety, which was warmly received by attendees.
Teacher Training
Our industry-leading training is open to Fairley
House staff and external professionals seeking to boost their qualifications and experience. 2024 saw nine individuals successfully achieve their Level 5 certification and delivered assessed presentations on a range of topics including Animal Assisted Therapy, AI and Dyslexia.
The course was audited and reaccredited by PATOSS, and external quality assurance found our course to be “excellent” and “the gold standard”.
Alumni
It has been fantastic to welcome back a number of
“We have hugely expanded our outreach to spread our expertise to the benefit of SEN children and professionals”
Fairley House alumni to share their experiences of overcoming their learning challenges and reaching their higher education and career ambitions. Their stories and perspectives are hugely inspiring.
Outreach
This year has seen Fairley House staff give talks, training and mentorship to Kingston University, the SpLD Clinical Excellence Network, Rye Oak Primary School, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the SI network, among many others.
We already have a number of inspiring outreach events planned for 2025 to share our Fairley House magic ever further.
Ms. Sidi Speech and Language Therapist
I have been lucky enough to be involved in a number of our outreach efforts this year including presenting to Kingston University students undertaking their teaching qualifications where I was really impressed by their engagement and thoughtful questions.
However, my personal highlight would be my presentation at the Autumn conference for the SpLD Clinical Excellence Network (CEN). I spoke about how speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers can support students with access arrangements, as at Fairley House we believe this should never be a barrier to accessing the learning, or achieving the grades, they deserve.
Online presentations are never the easiest to deliver but the content seemed to be well-received and feedback from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
MY 2024 HIGHLIGHTS