School Prospectus

We hope you enjoyed looking at our prospectus and look forward to seeing you soon

Experience the community at

Astley Park School

“Partnerships with parents are outstanding.”

Ofsted

“Chorley’s best kept secret!”

Head Teacher Tel: 01257 262227 Fax: 01257 269074 mail: head@astleypark.lancs.sch.uk Website: www.astleypark.lancs.sch.uk

Address: Harrington Road Chorley PR7 1JZ

Contents

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Introduction

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Pupils

3

Working Together

5

Curriculum

7

Enrichment

9

“My daughter loves to go to Astley Park.

It is a happy, secure and inclusive school.”

Sheila Corless

“My son was an anxious child, now he’s a learning child.”

Kate Robinson

Introduction Why families choose Astley Park.

The Pupils, Staff, Governors and Friends of Astley Park School would like to welcome you to our very special school.

Built in the early 1960s, situated in a beautiful park-side setting, Astley Park offers a wide range of educational and life-skill opportunities to all the young people who attend the school.

Our approach to learning is child-centred and we always take the time to listen to our young people who communicate their ideas to the Leadership and Management team – usually via the School Council.

Using our vast range of resources, our dedicated staff have achieved; and have helped the pupils to achieve many awards and accolades, which we are very proud of: • Eco Schools Awards • Healthy Schools • Woodland Trust Gold Award • Sustainable School • RHS Growing School • LPPA Leading Parent Partnership Award • Chairman’s Challenge Winner • Learning Excellence Award

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Working in collaboration with parents, carers and other outside agencies, Astley Park School actively promotes Independent Learning for our students and provides the support that is required to achieve this.

Throughout the Primary and Secondary Phases, the use of Sign-along; Communicate in Print; and PECS helps our young people to communicate with others effectively in school and at home.

Make an appointment to come and see us – you will always receive a warm welcome …….

“Parents feel well informed about their child’s progress and involved in the life of the school” Ofsted

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Pupils Understanding their individual needs.

Here at Astley Park School we pride ourselves on meeting all of our pupils’ individual needs.

The young people have a wide variety of complex learning needs, ranging from moderate to significant learning difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the associated challenges with social communication and interaction, and emotional difficulties.

Our ethos at Astley Park is to be purely child-centred offering each young person and their family individual support and care.

Our positive ethos involves celebrating and rewarding each pupil’s successes however small the steps.

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We have a holistic commitment to our young people’s development, including, academic success, communication, physical health and well-being, emotional and social development and interactions.

The pupils benefit from our commitment to an environment of Total Communication where by the use of spoken and written word, signs and symbols, promotes and develops pupils’ speech, language and communication skills.

The school benefits from an active school council, with representatives elected from each class, pupils are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings and shape future developments at the school.

We develop and promote pupil independence as much as possible, by consistently supporting, challenging and motivating pupils to achieve their full potential.

Pupils benefit from the high levels of support they receive from our dedicated and highly trained staff team and additional services including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, counsellors and an extensive range of links with other schools and settings.

Astley Park School is a truly inclusive environment where all pupils receive the support they need to achieve.

“The enthusiasm of all the staff and the pride they have for ‘their’ children is excellent.”

Susan Bulmer

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Working Together Working in partnership with our parents and carers.

The team at Astley Park School are fully committed to working collaboratively with our parents and carers for the achievement of all our pupils.

We are a dedicated staff team who pride ourselves on our close working partnership with parents, carers and other professionals.

We are very proud of our Leading Parent Partnership Award which recognises and celebrates the excellent and supportive relationships with our families.

The combination of our open door policy and approachable and committed staff team ensures the continual provision of support and guidance is given to each parent and carer.

In particular the pastoral support offered, consisting of a full-time Parent/Catrer Support Manager and Behaviour for Learning Manager provides exceptional individualised support for our pupils and their families.

“Many parents in the school have commented on the exceptional support that has been given to their families.�

Ofsted

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Curriculum What we teach at Astley Park School.

At Astley Park School we offer a rich and varied curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils and the requirements of the National Curriculum, providing pupils with a wide range of enrichment opportunities.

Secondly, our curriculum will develop many of the skills that pupils will need to live independently in the community in later life. These will include personal, financial and home management skills, independent travel and leisure time management.

Our curriculum consists of three strands:

Finally, through work based learning, older pupils will develop some of the skills that they will need to succeed in the workplace. These will include time keeping, health & safety awareness and interpersonal skills.

Firstly, an academic core that offers appropriate challenges in National Curriculum subjects with an emphasis on developing functional literacy and numeracy skills. Throughout school literacy and numeracy are taught as discrete subjects but all other subjects are linked by a common theme. As pupils progress through school they will have the opportunity to complete a range of nationally recognised entry level and vocational qualifications.

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Our curriculum is flexible and can be adapted to meet the needs of individual pupils. Possibilities include enhanced communication and sensory learning experiences.

For older pupils specific vocational training can be arranged including extended work experience.

Learning outside the classroom is an integral part of our curriculum; pupils learning is enriched by regular visits to museums, galleries and places of interest. Pupils will also be provided with opportunities to practice skills learned within the classroom in real life situations.

As older pupils reach their final school year they will be prepared for the next step in their learning journey by following a one day per week link course at a local College.

This allows pupils to become familiar with the college environment and develop the confidence and social skills needed to succeed.

“Friendly and positive staff recognise the achievements children make and encourage them to reach their full potential.�

Janet D’Arcy

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Enrichment Activities in school hours.

In addition to our varied and creative curriculum we are very proud of the enrichment opportunities we provide both during the school day and outside of it.

We have a wide variety of activities that pupils access throughout the year, at the forefront of this is our Environment Studies. Pupils learn basic outdoor skills, have the chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables and make use of our workshop to design and make a variety of items. Pupils learn about what it means to be eco-friendly and how to look after and protect our local environment and wildlife.

There is also the option to access a number of offsite sporting facilities and competitions as well as PE fun days within school.

Residential activity holidays during Year 7 and 10 are incredibly popular with pupils. Pupils also enjoy educational visits in and around the local community and further afield.

Our personalised approach to learning also offers opportunities to access sensory rooms and centres.

We actively encourage social skills, emotional awareness and promote friendships through positive playtime activities, outdoor gym equipment, golden time and friendship week.

We place a high emphasis on developing community cohesion and promoting race equality.

Pupils are encouraged to celebrate and embrace different cultures and customs. Pupils have access to multi-cultural lessons, assemblies, educational visits and visitors to the school.

Learning and Pastoral achievement is celebrated through weekly assemblies and a special end of year award ceremony, with an extra special Leaver’s Assembly and Prom for Year 11.

“Our children enjoy the safe, fun environment and we very much appreciate the enthusiastic, professional and caring staff at Astley Park.”

Mr and Mrs Hale

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Enrichment Activities out of school hours.

We believe that a pupil’s experience of school doesn’t just take place between 8:45am and 3:15pm.

For this reason we have a wide range of activities and events that take place around the school day and during the holidays which allow pupils to have fun and also gives parents/carers and the local community a chance to enjoy what Astley Park has to offer.

The first of these provisions is an early drop off club each day before school, we also provide an after school club, weekend and holiday clubs. We have a number of links with local schools and colleges which provides an opportunity to access different provision and take part in joint projects and lessons.

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We are proud to have achieved a number of awards; these include being a Flagship Healthy School and achieving Eco School status.

The school has also achieved local recognition through the Chairman’s Challenge for our work with Parents on the ‘Plot to Pot’ scheme which involves Parents and Carers working with their child to grow produce and then transform it into a meal. Pupils have also won awards through The Royal Horticultural Society for their work on school gardens.

As a school we work hard to promote our links within the local community for example; running bingo sessions for senior citizens; fundraising for local charities and inviting the Mayor and other local dignitaries into school to enjoy events.

We encourage our older pupils to take part in community links.

Over the years this has included work experience placements in local businesses, nurseries and care homes.

We hold social events regularly throughout the year to allow pupils and their Parents/Carers to enjoy the social aspects that come with being part of the Astley Park School Community.

“I am amazed at all the wonderful places you visit.

It has provided me with a much needed break” Rebecca Taylor (Lancashire Break time)

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