Introduction to Broomhill
Aims and values
We aim to develop each individual to their full potential through;
- A broad and relevant curriculum, individually adjusted to their needs in order to provide them with the knowledge, skills and experiences to cope with life during and after school.
- A full social education and vocational programme both within and outside the school day, which will enable them to care properly for themselves, to live with others and to exercise an increasing level of self-reliance and independence within the community.
Broomhill Bank School has a very strong ethos, and the governing body together with the teaching and care staff are supportive to the concept of total care whilst the pupils and students are within the school. This concept is reinforced through various school policies and the school's Behaviour Management System.
The school has an active governing body with governors who are involved through frequent monitoring visits and work closely with teaching and care staff on all key aspects including child care, health and safety as well as curriculum issues.
We enjoy excellent relationships with parents, and have built up a reputation for being caring and supportive to the young person; mutual help and cooperation by all parties is seen as a key factor.
Regular parent contact is maintained through telephone calls, visits to the school, home contact book, fortnightly newsletters and "Friends Functions" as well as annual reviews. The school is also committed to ensuring that each placement remains appropriate and this is achieved through regular monitoring and reviews with parents. We will also consider what is best for the pupil within the spectrum of life at Broomhill Bank, interactions within the local community and manageable mainstream experience.
Parents and carers of prospective pupils are encouraged to visit informally and this can be arranged by appointment through the school office.
History
Broomhill Bank School came into existence in 1948 with the first pupil starting on 4 November 1948. She came all the way from Sheerness. Others quickly followed and by the end of the academic year there were 40 pupils on roll. It was a special residential school for girls with moderate learning difficulties.
Recent changes to designation
With effect from September 2008, Broomhill Bank (Foundation) Special School was designated a co-educational day school for 5 to 19 year olds with Communication and Interaction needs (Autistic Spectrum and/or Specific Language Disorder) with a total roll of 80 pupils on site (aged 11 - 19) and the capacity to support a further 24 full time equivalent (FTE) children and young people on an outreach basis.
This new designation varied considerably to the school's previous status and, to ensure a smooth transition to the new designation, an implementation plan was drawn up. The implementation plan addressed many issues including building works needed to provide the necessary facilities for boys and training required for staff to manage the needs of the new pupils.
Considerable refurbishment took place during the summer of 2009 and the Further Education Department moved to its new premises in Autumn 2009. Years 7 and 8 also benefitted from the refurbishment works and a new Design and Technology classroom completed the picture. The school hopes that it will receive the remainder of the £3.2m redesignation building fund to enable it to fulfil its vision for the future.