Extended Schools

Pupils told inspectors how much they appreciated the many clubs and activities, including volleyball, football, art, relaxation, gardening and cooking. These have evolved through leaders’ actions to strengthen spiritual, moral, social and cultural provision.

The children and young people at John Chilton School have severe or moderate learning difficulties; many have additional physical and sensory needs. This can affect the chances for them and their families to access social and leisure activities. In addition to a broad, balanced and holistic curriculum, the school aims to support families and pupils in a variety of ways to enable them to experience a range of enriching activities.

Interesting and engaging visits and visitors are planned to enrich the curriculum and develop links between subjects. These events enable pupils to explore the community facilities available to them.

• Visits and visitors are welcomed from a variety of backgrounds including art, music, ballet, opera and theatre to extend pupils experiences and support spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of the curriculum. These also aim to promote British Values through increasing tolerance and celebration of other cultures and beliefs.
• Local trips to shops, parks and facilities such as sports and recycling centres are arranged to promote life skills and independence.
• Day trips are organised throughout the year. Pupils attend trips that support topics studied in lessons or to take part in sporting activities off-site.
• Residential trips are arranged for groups of pupils during the year to build self-confidence and increase independence skills.

The school offers a range of clubs and activities at lunchtime and once a week across the school. The aim is to allow our pupils the same quality of access to provision that pupils in a mainstream school enjoy. Community cohesion is one of our strengths with outside providers often being involved.

Pupils have the opportunity to participate in safe and stimulating activities that promote key skills and thinking skills in a purposeful social situation. Positive behaviour is encouraged through these structured and meaningful sessions where pupils develop skills and interests. It is important that the pupils of John Chilton School have the chance to explore different interests in a supportive environment, in order to make choices about their future placements and leisure activities; linking closely with the transition to adulthood and ownership of benefits.

Our extended after school’s provision includes a weekly sports club (often led by a community sports coach such as QPR) and swimming club that pupils attend on a rotation. A week’s play and leisure scheme in the summer holiday allows pupils to have fun and social time with their peers in a safe environment; and also the parents and carers to know that their child is safe and they can use the time to access activities for themselves or other members of the family, who as siblings to disabled children/young people often miss out on parental attention.

We host a variety of events for students and their families throughout the year.  Such events include transition workshops for students who are looking at post 16 options; we also have assistive technology days to raise awareness about how children and young people with special needs can access the curriculum and control their environment.

We host family events such as discos and barbeques where families can meet each other in a fun, lively and safe environment.