School Life

We believe our method of educating young people with special educational needs is of the highest calibre for the following reasons:

It has been proven, from our achievements over many years of working with such young people, that our methods are a success. Evidence of this can be found from the feedback of current pupils, parents and carers, past pupils, local authorities and other relevant agencies.

Our Ethos is Firm, Fair, Friendly & Fun

Pupils receive 6 x 45 minute timetabled lessons per day; however, learning takes place from the moment pupils arrive in school. On arrival, pupils will meet with their tutor where breakfast is offered as well as some social time which provides an opportunity to set themselves for the day.

Pupils learn subjects such as English, Maths, Science, History, ICT, Life Skills as well as Outdoor Education which promotes self-esteem, creativity, confidence and independence. There are excellent facilities to support pupil learning across both sites which helps to create a calm, focused and positive learning environment for our pupils. Pupils are given the opportunity to join extra curricular clubs at lunchtime such as: Chess, Choir, Lego, Music, Dodgeball, Board Games and Reading.

At the Upper Site pupils transition to lessons if they are in classes 1 – 5 and all pupils study pathways in GCSE, Functional Skills or Entry Level Certificate. There are currently 5 classes on the Lower Site and 8 classes on the Upper Site. Pupils are supported by a Teacher and TA in every classroom and all staff are visible at break and lunchtime.

At the end of the school year the Hope View School community comes together for the annual awards ceremony which celebrates the achievements and success of our wonderful pupils.

Allocation of Teaching Hours by Subject

Our Mission Statement

To educate and encourage young people to value their lives and place in society whilst offering a unique educational and social experience.

Aims – for all members of the school community we aim to:

Provide a learning environment that encourages the highest level of personal attainment and achievement so that all individuals fulfil their potential
Encourage all individuals to have the highest expectations and aspirations
Provide outstanding care and support
Uphold commonly-held, traditional values
Develop in all individuals, commitment, co-operation and loyalty to the values of the school and to other people
Encourage all individuals to respect the environment and other people, both at school and within the wider community

“This is a school that understands its pupils well. Staff are skilled at supporting pupils with a wide range of complex special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

Ofsted November 2023

A statement of values:

Education influences and reflects the desired values of society and the kind of society we want to be. As members of the school community, we recognise a broad set of commonly-held, formal values that underpin the school curriculum and life at the school.
The values and aims of the school are closely linked. The aims of the school provide the essential context within which the school functions.
Valuing ourselves as individuals within a caring school community.
Valuing the highest levels of academic attainment, personal achievement and aspirations for life.
Valuing the family, friends, wider groups to which we belong and other members of society.
Promoting commonly-held, traditional values.
Valuing the environment and the world in which we live.

In support of our values and aims, we have a series of aspirations which we intend to fulfil through the development of the school’s unique and specialist culture. We intend to deliver these through the effective enactment of our school and community development plan.

We will:

Offer an educational and social experience entirely different to that which pupils have received in previous settings.
Improve the quality of teaching and learning through the effective management of pupils. We see this as vital to raising standards across the curriculum.
Help our pupils to understand that their full participation is key to any future success, the bedrock of which is founded upon Acceptance, Accountability and Responsibility.
Provide opportunities for our pupils to experience the full expanse of education through valued experiences.
Build relationships with other schools thus creating the opportunity to share good practice.
Share a close working relationship with parents and carers of our pupils in search of continuity of positive influences whilst bringing about effective change to the lives of our pupils.
Raise the expectations of success amongst our pupils, their parents and the community at large, particularly with regard to their social and educational development.
Involve local businesses, industry and organisations in helping to effectively prepare pupils to progress into employment, uniformed services, further training or higher education, according to their individual abilities, aptitudes and ambitions.
Promote an educational culture that is enterprising, vocational and innovative. This culture will form the ethos of the school underpinned by a therapeutic and caring approach.
Raise the profile of individual pupils in accordance with the requirements of their Additional Educational Needs Statement in preparation for their possible reintegration into mainstream education.
Maintain contact with pupils following the end of their statutory education. The aim of this is to monitor them as they begin to make their way into adulthood after full-time education. This may take the form of helping them to assume the responsibility of finding accommodation or a job. We believe that the real work begins for our young people when they have to enter adult life. Our experience tells us that this is often their greatest hurdle and one which they need support throughout the early stages of this transition.

Firm – Fair – Friendly – Fun