What we do
Who are we?
We are Isebrook School.
Where can you find us?
What is our specialism?
Our specialism is cognition and learning. Our students demonstrate features of general learning difficulties or more specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). Students with cognition and learning difficulties are less well-developed than their peers in areas such as understanding, thinking, learning, remembering or communicating. They may demonstrate a narrow range of difficulties affecting only a few aspects of learning, or a broad range of difficulties affecting access to the whole curriculum. There may be associated difficulties with social skills, organisation, independence and emotional and mental health. Those who experience difficulties in this area may have a slower rate of progress than mainstream pupils and need particular programmes to aid progress in cognition and learning.
Who do we cater for?
We currently cater for students aged 11 to 18 [Year 7 to Year 13]. It is our expectation that young people will only remain in the 6th form for a third year based on an individual assessment of their needs and only in exceptional circumstances: all our students have a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health Care Plan, raised and maintained by the local authority. Admission is through Northamptonshire Local Authority. You are most welcome to arrange a visit to our school: please contact the office to arrange a convenient date and time.
Which other professionals do we work with?
We work closely with education colleagues at Northamptonshire Local Authority and a wealth of multidisciplinary professionals, including therapists and specialist advisors. Staff work with supporting agencies to ensure that students’ needs are met. Specialist teachers regularly visit Isebrook to work with the students. This includes professionals with specialists in visual impairment, hearing impairment, autism, speech and language disabilities and alternative forms of communication. Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Community Nurses also work on a regular basis with us.
Who else do we have links with?
The school is part of a consortium of special schools in Northamptonshire which provides curriculum specialisms for sixth-form students.
What does our curriculum cover?
Our curriculum takes account of each student’s individual needs and uses a subject framework up to the age of sixteen (the end of Key Stage 4), covering a broad and balanced range of subjects. Appropriate approaches to programmes of study are chosen at each key stage to ensure breadth and progression in teaching. All students are set challenging individual learning targets, which are frequently reviewed and developed where necessary. The 16+ curriculum offers programmes run through a variety of awarding bodies, including LASER, ASDAN, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.
What do we expect?
We have the highest expectations from both our staff and students. We expect staff to use effective, well-judged motivation strategies, challenge students’ learning, and create a safe and positive learning environment, where courtesy, dignity and respect help spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This encourages staff and students to be enthusiastic, build positive relationships and approach behaviour management in a consistent and formative way.
How do we enrich learning experiences?
Isebrook runs a variety of successful after-school activities in a safe and friendly environment. The clubs offer students enjoyable, interesting, stimulating and fun activities from which they get a great deal of pleasure.
Isebrook believes that involvement in after-school activities will help students develop new skills and enrich their life experiences. Participating in these opportunities will enable students to have fun in structured and safe surroundings while learning new skills.