Heaton School

Our aim is to prepare our students for the move into adulthood by empowering them with the communication, skills and tools to do this as independently and confidently as is possible, playing an active role in their learning and any decisions about their future.

At our main site in Heaton Moor, our post 16 students are working within our pre-formal, informal and semi-formal pathways, developing their skills, independence and communication to prepare for future transition and adulthood. Depending on the students curriculum pathway, lessons may include community access activities and travel training, use of money, mini enterprise activities, life skills lessons, communication focused learning activities as well as health and well being activities including hydrotherapy, physio and OT based activities, Art, Drama and Forest School.

Where it may be needed, we also offer a more structured approach and timetable including a more intensively supportive and secure environment as well as additional support to access the curriculum for those post 16 students who would benefit from this.  Ratios of support will be a lot higher to enable the students to access and engage with the curriculum as fully as possible. 

At Cheadle Heath we have provision for those students who are ready to embark on different challenges with regard to our curriculum and preparation for adulthood. Where appropriate, students may access a wider variety of community based activities such as travel training, shopping, accessing the local leisure centre and local community facilities and visits to areas of Greater Manchester. They also take part in a number of work related activities such as mini enterprise, cafes, Duke of Edinburgh, charity projects and so forth. Subjects include Work Related Learning, Life Skills, Food Technology, Forest School and Drama. Students also have the opportunity to access external work placements or longer term volunteering opportunities in the local community.

Embedded throughout the post 16 curriculum is a strong focus on future transition and what next steps and future placements, after Heaton School, may look like with a constant view to what underlying skills, knowledge and preparation is needed to support our students with this pending and very important change. Teachers and school senior leaders liaise closely with parents and carers alongside external providers and professionals to ensure support, information and guidance is provided at each key stage throughout the post 16 phase in school. Please see the Careers, Information, Education, Advice and Guidance page for further information.

All post 16 students are assessed against Individual Education targets relating to preparation for adulthood and individual therapeutic needs. Currently some of our Post 16 students within the pre-formal pathway continue to also be assessed using our Routes for Learning assessment profile.