At Silverwood all parents/carers are equally valued as part of our school community. We recognise parent, carers and families are the most important influence in a child’s life. Parental engagement has a significant impact on a child’s learning and has a positive effect on educational outcomes and wellbeing. We therefore promote positive partnerships with all our families and promote regular communication between home and school. Our approach provides a framework in which all parent/carers can engage meaningfully in the education of their child and school life, express their views and have these taken into consideration on matters effecting the education of their child. Our Aim:
Our Commitment:
Self-Evaluation:We continue to evaluate the effectiveness of our partnership with our parents and carers by:
Parent / Carer WorkshopsFull details about current workshops can be found here:
Information about previous workshops can be found here:
Parent / Carer SurveysAt Silverwood School we are committed to listening to the views and opinions of our parent/carers by conducting parent surveys. These provide us with a general and broad picture of feedback from the parent/ carer body and questions typically cover:
Please find the latest survey results below:
November 2023 Survey Results
November 2022 Survey Results
Ofsted Parent View Questionnaire
Ofsted Parent View gives you the chance to tell Ofsted what you think of your child’s school, including:
Absence Request Letter
Consent Form For Photos & Activities
Free School Meals Application Form
Fuel Claim Form
Medication Consent Form
Silverwood School Financial Benchmarking Data
Please visit .GOV.UK for indept information about the schools financial data
Gender Pay Gap Report
The schools gender pay gap is located in the polices and documents area of our website.
This report can be found under G from the follow link...
To request further Curriculum Information please contact us via phone or email:
The Silverwood curriculum is creative, diverse and designed to meet the needs of individual pupils, incorporating a holistic approach that has our school values embedded at the core. It is designed to support pupils to reach their full potential and make a meaningful contribution both within the school community and those communities within which they live. Strong positive relationships are the basis of our powerful curriculum as well as ensuring that all pupils have a voice and can communicate as independently as possible. Pupils are placed in pathways shaped by needs identified within their EHCPs, which help to prepare them for adulthood as well as access to an appropriate range of qualifications and accreditations.
Curriculum themes are an important part of the Silverwood School offer because they allow for a more holistic and thematic approach to learning. All Pre-Formal, Semi-Formal and Primary curricular are based on these themes. The formal secondary curriculum has a more subject based approach but these themes will also be incorporated where appropriate. The themes are spread out over a four-year cycle to ensure that any pupils in mixed age, key stage classes have a curriculum diet that includes a variety of themes within each key stage. Provider Access Policy Statement
Equal opportunities lie at the heart of all that we do at Silverwood School. We are committed to ensuring that every member of the school community is given the same chance as any other to access the services and support of the school We have carefully considered and analysed the impact of this policy on equality and the possible implications for pupils with protected characteristics, as part of our commitment to meet the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) requirement to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. The Provider Access Policy is designed to meet the needs of all pupils, working through pre-formal, semi-formal and formal curricula. It is inclusive of students who function at early/preverbal levels of language and communication, through to those who express themselves verbally and in writing. The policy is designed to be child-centred and to make sure as far as is possible that pupils understand what is happening in their lives, why, and what options are available to them. Full details about Provider Access Policy can be found within the policies are of our website: Please click the PDF below to view the Silverwood Self Evaluation Summary...
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) at SilverwoodAt Silverwood School we are recognise the overarching importance of high quality and sustained CPD and its impact on meeting pupil needs, improving outcomes and supporting teachers and TAs by equipping them with the skills and knowledge that they need. The School Development Plan and our 5 Year Strategic Plan are key driving factors. The school offers development opportunities for school teachers and support staff, from induction through to early leadership training. These include:
Silverwood School’s Vision is ‘Building Community, Inspiring Learning’. We aim to develop a diverse, highly skilled and motivated workforce that is forward thinking and inspirational; working together for the benefit of our pupils. We understand that everyone in the Silverwood School Community is an individual with different strengths, skills and interests. Consequently, we value all roles and career pathways, seeing every role as contributing to a child's development and success. As such we have created a bespoke career stage offer to show staff some of the career paths available to them within Silverwood. Full details of our comprehensive offer can be accessed in the Silverwood School CPD offer document. Effective leaders are integral to positive school improvement. Research shows that school leaders can drive improvement through creating the culture, structures and systems that increase the quality of teaching and learning (Leithwood et al., 2019). There are opportunities for research and development in collaboration with other schools and organisations, such as through Challenge Partners. Challenge Partners promotes the sharing of excellent practice, facilitating peer reviews and the running of programmes grounded in evidence of what works, so that our pupils can benefit from the combined wisdom of the system. This enables us to reflect on and develop teaching and learning approaches in school, linking our practice to research. In addition, all senior leaders are enrolled on a programme of leadership development ‘Liberating Leadership’ and a number of senior leaders have a professional coach. Some staff will choose to extend their skills with the support of a professional coach or through enrolling in academic qualifications which contain a research element, for example, undergraduate degrees, NPQs, routes into teaching and Masters’ degrees. The impact of our CPD is analysed through Silverwood School’s monitoring and evaluation process. This effectively measures the quality of provision and pupils’ outcomes, ensures regular and accurate feedback through mentoring and coaching and supports teacher appraisal. Feedback is also sought through testimonials and response questionnaires. Silverwood School CPD Offer – The Learning CommunityBespoke career stage offer in addition to your universal offer
At Silverwood School our focus on emotional health and wellbeing is embedded in everything we do. This has an enormous impact on pupils’ learning, attendance and participation, building their self-esteem and confidence. These are just some of the ways in which we ensure that everyone at Silverwood achieves their best in a caring and safe environment to support the importance of good mental health for all:
Mental Health is a standing agenda item during termly pupil progress group meetings and interventions are identified to support the needs of pupils. We have an identified a Senior Mental Health Lead who is member of the Senior Leadership Team, and an Emotional Literacy Support practitioner (ELSA). All our learning environments promote a nurturing approach, to meet the needs of each pupil and in support of their wellbeing. Pupil Mental Health and Well-Being Provision
Silverwood School is passionate about delivering a creative and diverse curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils ensuring they are successful in their lives, both in the school community and beyond. Our ambitious curriculum is under-pinned by a fundamental belief in our Silverwood values; it ensures that all pupils reach their full potential and develop into the most independent and successful young adults that they can be. Silverwood School is a strong, nurturing community, which creates a sense of belonging and celebrates individual success at every opportunity.
Provision, which is based on strong positive relationships, identifies the needs of each individual pupil to develop communication, independence and their own sense of self. The school believes that working within communities and fully utilising all aspects of Learning Outside the Classroom are central to supporting well-being and preparation for adulthood. Providing different pathways through a holistic approach allows pupils to progress on personalised learning journeys. The curriculum is reflective of pupil need, regardless of cognitive level, and seeks to build progress in a bespoke manner. It is not limited by an age-specific approach, but instead pathways are shaped by needs identified within EHCPs, including as appropriate, access to a range of qualifications and accreditations. The curriculum at Silverwood School is designed to develop transferable skills that equip children and young people for life beyond school. Curriculum OverviewPearson Edexcel Functional Skills – Entry Level 1-3 and Level
Pearson Edexcel Entry Level Certificate – Entry Level 1-3
WJEC Entry Pathways – Entry Level 1
WJEC Entry Pathways – Entry Level 2-3
ASDAN – Pre-Entry Level 1
ASDAN – Entry Level 1-2
Duke of Edinburgh Award
All pupils are readers, writers and communicators. Pupils gain the necessary functional skills to be successful and confident communicators, readers and writers at a developmentally appropriate level. This provides them with the best opportunities to be valued and active members of society now and in the future. Teaching is engaging and pupil-centred, offering experiential learning in order to foster independent enquiry and curiosity. Communication and Literacy is a key life skill that enables pupils to engage with and access the world around them in a safe and meaningful way. All pupils are unique and have different ways of communicating. We use a Total Communication approach to ensure that every child’s voice is heard; we ensure they develop the appropriate skills to use it safely and effectively. Reading is a crucial life skill and embedded across the curriculum; we foster a love of reading. Pupils journey towards meaningful and functional marks as well as accessing phonics, spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions where appropriate. They use the written form as well as technology to support successful outcomes Subject IntentIf you can not see the subject intents for communication and literacy below, please follow this link
We support pupils to experience, appreciate, explore and enhance knowledge of the culture of our World. We empower and challenge all pupils to create something that expresses and communicates a part of their emotional self. We enable pupils to communicate in new ways, share their ideas, and commit them to record through a variety and breadth of experiences celebrating and recognising diversity. We believe in the value of the creative process, which is proven to create feelings of wellbeing. All pupils know that their work is valued and recognise that success is built on the freedom to experiment and make mistakes. Pupils learn that their work is appreciated and the joy it contains is shared. ‘Creativity is contagious, pass it on.’ (Einstein) Subject IntentIf you can not see the subject intents for expressive and creative arts below, please follow this link
Numeracy skills are needed throughout life. ‘Understanding the World’ encourages curiosity through exploration and problem solving. Through opportunities and experiential learning pupils gain functional life skills and engage in practical, fun activities to develop their knowledge of the wider world. Lessons incorporate values-based learning, Learning Outside the Classroom and the wider community, making experiences more meaningful, contextual and memorable. Learning how the world works, builds independence, increases pupils’ fine and gross motor skills and builds a sense of achievement. Subject IntentWe promote physical activity, emotional and social well-being and healthy lifestyles using an individualised approach that meets the holistic needs of the learner. Pupils are provided with rich and varied opportunities that develop skills as well as foster independence, self-esteem and emotional health. They are also helped to manage risks within a safe and supportive environment. Pupils learn to interact positively and safely, developing themselves as individuals and as part of a team or group, enabling skills such as collaboration and communication. Success is achieved, recognised and celebrated across the school community and beyond. Learning is meaningful and enjoyable, developing real life skills that are transferable, increasing knowledge and experience. Pupils make healthy life choices with their diet, safety and positive relationships and know how to ask for help and voice opinions. The positive values and attitudes nurtured are the vital foundations for pupil’s life-long and life-wide learning, empowering their citizenship and preparing them for adulthood. Subject IntentIf you can not see the subject intents for physical and personal development below, please follow this link
This curriculum area will engender a sense of awe and wonder for all pupils. Pupils are supported to develop a strong recognition of themselves, their self-identity and culture. This celebrates their importance and interdependence in the local and wider community. Pupils will develop practical, transferable and repeatable skills in a wide variety of contexts both in and out of school. All key stages will focus on developing life skills and preparation for adulthood. Diversity, equality and respect will be taught to ensure that pupils know themselves and the importance of celebrating difference. The wider world will form the context from which pupils can learn from the past, in the present, for their futures. Subject IntentAt Silverwood School, Art offers a multitude of opportunities for creativity and expression. Art is taught both discretely and also woven through the entire curriculum so that it is accessible and in line with developmental stages.
Art offers a multisensory approach to learning and there are opportunities to refine skills through ambitious challenges. Practical art activities help learners to practise and refine, fine and gross motor skills. Experiences are immersive and explore a wide variety of mediums. We offer endless learning opportunities through exploration, experience and experimentation. Projects include discovery of artists and movements from all over the world so that our students can have a diverse experience of different cultures and broaden their knowledge and views. At its heart, Art is intended to be a fun, personal form of communication and all experiences, processes and outcomes are valued and celebrated. The Silverwood Beliefs and Values curriculum encourages pupils to grapple with some of the big spiritual topics: forgiveness, love, gratitude, ritual and mourning. We explore beliefs and values, from around the world and within our school, through stories and multisensory activities which are differentiated to meet the needs of individual pupils. Pupils will experience opportunities to explore and develop curiosity about their own values and those of others around the world. They will be encouraged to debate and discuss the ideas they encounter, in an effort to promote philosophical thinking and a tolerance for other people’s beliefs. These experiences will enable them to be actively involved in their learning and develop positive relationships as they adhere to moral values and discover their role in promoting community cohesion and inclusion in our increasingly diverse society.
Drama is celebrated and practised at Silverwood School as a discrete subject and as an inclusive, inspiring classroom activity which enhances all areas of the curriculum through the immersive, multi-sensory learning opportunities it offers. Our ambitious Drama Curriculum enables learners to develop their creativity, their self-confidence and their collaborative skills through games, stories, performance and reflection. It provides a safe space in which pupils can interact with each other while exploring situations, emotions and relationships; through this exploration the pupils develop empathy with others and confidence in themselves.
Learners are supported to develop healthy use of body and voice, individually and with a group. Performance projects are designed to enable students to take joint ownership of their work, fostering skills in cooperation, negotiation and mutual support and providing each young person with a very special sense of well-being, belonging and achievement. Our Humanities Curriculum aims to inspire students to care passionately about the world around them, and to develop appreciation and understanding of the human and physical processes which help to shape it. We start our learning with personal experiences, in the present and at the local level, and then support and challenge students to have the confidence to develop curiosity about the wider world and different historical periods.
Opportunities to ask questions and find out about other places, beliefs and communities, both in terms of time and geography, allow every student to draw comparisons between their own life and locality, and the places and times that are studied. The topics studied promote wonder at the processes of the natural world and celebrate the achievements of diverse people who have had an impact on their society and our shared heritage. Through this learning, students are supported to consider themselves and their impact and value within the environment and communities they are a part of. At Silverwood, we value the importance of Literacy and Communication in pupils’ journeys to adulthood, and appreciate how vital it is to be a confident communicator. This is achieved through a Total Communication approach, which creates highly individualised opportunities for pupils to develop the skills and confidence needed to share their voices throughout their lives. Diversity and pupil identity is recognised through an immersive and multi-sensory approach to reading, mark making and writing. Our ambitious expectations challenge all pupils through curiosity and experimentation to develop and to extend their skills across the curriculum. We are passionate about developing a love of books and reading. We want our pupils to experience the magic of shared stories and immersive reading opportunities. Pupils are inspired to develop relationships, and to make connections with the wider world through their experience of a broad scope of diverse and ambitious texts that range across genres and times. The aim of Literacy and Communication is to create a language rich environment which places no limits on learning.
Learning a Modern Foreign Language develops and enhances four key communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. It also enables students to appreciate difference by opening their minds to diverse cultures, new ideas and alternative ways of thinking. Language learning fosters curiosity and deepens students’ understanding of the world.
The Plus Programme transforms personal and educational outcomes through an outdoor curriculum tailored to the needs, talents and choices of each pupil. The core aim is to develop pupils’ personal development skills, autonomy and inclusion with a view to making these skills transferrable to the pupils’ main / home school, fostering greater success, development and integration outside of Silverwood. Promoting these successful outcomes is at the heart of the programme. The curriculum is constantly adapting but aims to:
As a Values led school Silverwood has a deep commitment to the personal and social development of all pupils. These shared ideas are inextricably linked to the daily experience of pupils, staff and visitors to Silverwood School. Developing the understanding and skills for being active and productive learners within a community is at the heart of our school curriculum, as we recognise that such development is most successful when those values and attitudes permeate all learning experiences. We believe that each learner will be valued as an individual and will be enabled to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally within a caring, purposeful and flexible framework. In particular, SMSC education support the aims:
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