About Us
Epinay School is a school which caters for up to 225 children and young people from 4–18 years of age with a wide range of special educational and complex needs.
The school caters for children and young people with significant learning difficulties and/or diagnosed learning disabilities who are working at a level of 3-4 years behind their peers and have limited ability to listen, process information, think, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations effectively.
In addition to their learning needs, the children and young people may have some social vulnerability as well as some difficulties with their functional skills, speech and language communication needs and a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition.
The school has some children who have anxiety and mental health difficulties and require additional support to meet their emotional needs, however, they do not present with disruptive behaviours.
A small number of our children have a severe learning difficulty (SLD) and/or disability, which means that they find it difficult to understand, learn and remember new skills. These students have problems with both the acquisition of skills and their application to new situations and possible sensory issues or poor coordination.
As a school we create a safe and inclusive centre of excellence by providing a stimulating environment where learners achieve challenging and inspirational targets in order to develop as happy, confident and independent learners who are prepared for adulthood.
Main cohort groups
Phase 1
Phase 1 objectives set – this phase has 3 classes that each work on different objectives, they stay in each class until the majority of objectives have been achieved before moving to the next class, children stay in phase 1 until objectives are met or they are ready to move into Phase 2.
Phase 2
Phase 2 objectives set – children stay here until objectives are met or they are ready to move into Phase 3.
Phase 3
Phase 3 classes objectives set- they stay here until objectives are met or they enter year 10.
Phase 4
Classes – Individualised qualification based routes.
Students in Phase 4 and 5 access a range of qualifications including Entry Level Certificates, Btec awards, NOCN qualifications, City & Guilds qualifications and Level 1 and 2 awards and certificate. We offer a wide range (both in choice of subjects and qualification) in order to ensure all pupils achieve to the best of their ability. Our Ofsted reports of 2012, 2018 and 2023 all awarded us outstanding for achievement.
Specialist provision groups
Phase 2 and 3 Life Skills hub – children follow a life skills curriculum and transition to Life Skills groups in phase 4.
Phase 4 Life Skills class – children follow a life skills curriculum during the morning and access option choices in line with the rest of the rest of phase 4 in the afternoon, generally these students transition to Life Skills groups in phase 5.
16-18 provision caters for students transitioning from Phase 4 from either the main cohort groups or life skills provision, other places can be given to external students from around the borough.
The school has close links with professionals, including Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Community Nurses, Sexual Health Workers, Pediatricians, Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists and Youth Support Workers. Where appropriate and necessary other professionals may be involved.
We are unique in having our own community café where pupils can access NVQ training, achieve units, level 1 and/or level 2 (equivalent to GCSE grades). If appropriate. We also offer vocational NOCN qualifications in this area.
We are more than happy for visitors to come to our school. If you would like to visit, please contact Sandra Stephenson, Head Teacher’s PA, on 0191 489 8949
