Chadsgrove Educational Trust Specialist College

Chadsgrove Educational Trust provides bespoke personalised educational study programmes that are tailored to suit each student’s individual needs. We are a small college providing extended learning opportunities for students aged 19-25 with physical disabilities and/or complex medical needs. On occasions we can accept young people with severe learning difficulties providing their needs can be safely met, and in doing so, it is not to the detriment of other learners at college. We employ highly trained staff with experience of working with students that have a range of learning needs. At Chadsgrove Educational Trust we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to develop educationally and enjoy a fulfilled life. We are passionate about maximising personal achievement and challenging students to reach their full potential.

Our specialist college is located in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire on the site of Chadsgrove School, in a separate self-contained building that operates independently of the school, whilst benefitting from shared facilities.

At Chadsgrove Educational Trust students follow a Preparing for Adulthood curriculum that takes into account individual aspirations and therapeutic needs. Each student has their own personalised timetable, enabling them to work towards their Education Health & Care Plan outcomes and learning goals. We offer a curriculum that has been designed to meet the needs of a range of learners, supporting health and wellbeing, enrichment opportunities and community involvement. Communication is an integral part of everything we do and a total communication approach is used throughout. We adopt a holistic and therapeutic approach to ensure positive health and wellbeing and students have access to rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language therapy and music therapy. Where appropriate, students participate in work related learning, taking part in enterprise opportunities both in the college and the wider community. Students are encouraged to use technology such as communication devices, eye gaze technology, soundbeams, interactive switches and iPads. Community Interaction is an integral part of each student’s timetable with at least one day’s learning taking place in the community, using the real world as a classroom. Independent living skills are paramount and all staff encourage students to be as independent as their condition allows.

Currently students at Chadsgrove Educational Trust follow one of two curriculum pathways with opportunities to experience activities from both pathways where appropriate.

Explorers Pathway - This pathway is designed for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties working at Pre Entry level 1 to Entry Level 1. The curriculum focuses on the development of communication skills and learning through sensory exploration.

Seekers Pathway - The Seekers pathway is for students with severe learning difficulties working at Entry Level 1. The curriculum focuses on developing skills for independence and communication within college and out in the wider community.

Chadsgrove Educational Trust shares many excellent facilities with their feeder school. Facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, rebound therapy trampoline, large sensory room, forest school area, sports field with fitness track, library, ICT Suite and access to over five minibuses to get out and about in the community.

Chadsgrove Educational Trust values the need to buy in additional services from specialist agencies to enhance learning and promote health and wellbeing. Students have access to a physiotherapist, a speech and language therapist and a music therapist and opportunities from each therapist are embedded into personal timetables across the week.