FAQs

If a parent/carer feels Break Through School is an appropriate provision for their child, for those with EHCPS and/or seeking assessment placements, they should contact their SEND case worker, who will then consult with Break Through School. We also accept referrals made directly from schools.  Every referral will be reviewed and considered independently by the school’s Senior Management Team, which includes the school’s designated SENDCo. This process is to ascertain if the school can meet the needs of the learner before confirming if a placement can be offered and will be in line with the statutory 15-day consultation period.

All learners have a Pupil Profile and Independent Education Plan (IEP) which outlines their individual needs and challenges, how staff can support them, and the learner’s goals for the future. Learners update these documents termly with support from a trusted staff member to ensure the information is accurate and relevant.

Restorative justice is embedded throughout the school. Where possible, all behaviours are viewed as a learning experience and learners are given the opportunity to grow and develop wider understanding of their behaviours and the associated impacts.

We pride ourselves on providing education that is engaging and innovative. Through a varied and differentiated curriculum we aim to teach learners how to grow into positive, responsible young people who are able to not only have a positive impact in their local community but to also successfully transition into further education, employment, volunteering and adulthood.

Break Through School works with learners aged between 11 and 16 who have special educational needs mainly within the areas of Social and Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and communication difficulties However, we can also support learners with a wide range of needs falling within the broad categories of Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Physical and Sensory and SEMH.

We offer a range of academic and vocational qualifications and subjects to our learners. We also pride ourselves on the wide range of Cultural Capital opportunities realised through trips, learning about and from other religions and cultures, and supporting charities where possible.

Staff at Break Through School are highly trained in all areas of SEND, Health & Safety, Educational pedagogies, and Trauma-informed practices. This training is delivered regularly through our weekly Wednesday staff training programme.

Additionally, we hold monthly Safeguarding Training and all staff complete independent training schedules throughout the year. We consider our programme as best practice, and often welcome speakers to bring to life any challenging concepts. This ensures we keep abreast of the latest theories and training.

All learners are assessed using the BKSB diagnostic system, which determines  English, Maths and ICT levels. Work is then differentiated to sit within the point of curriculum at which the young person arrives and ensures it is accessible to all.  We believe this enables all of our learners to thrive in school and beyond.

Each year an Annual SEND Review is held, which both the parents/carers and SENDCo are invited to, as well as any other key professionals. At this Annual Review meeting, the progress of the learner is discussed together with any further support requirements which may need to be put in place. There is also an EHCP Review meeting that takes place as part of the Annual Review meeting at every key-stage transition period.

Our learners’ views are paramount to us and we seek their views in a variety of ways.

Formally, learners are invited to attend their Annual SEND Review meeting so they are able to be involved in discussions about their learning and development and to provide their own feedback on their education and progress.

Informally, we have a student council who cover a range of important topics. We ask learners to give their feedback through anonymous forms on a termly basis. Daily, learners are asked to complete a reflective task, looking at what went well.

We believe that effective communication with parents and carers is of the utmost importance. Parents and carers are fully involved throughout their child’s time with us, from the induction process and beyond.  We believe you know your child best and your views and support are key to a positive integration and journey through our school.

We communicate regularly with parents and carers, including weekly check-in calls with tutors and/or school management. We provide termly reports to keep you fully updated in your child’s education. We operate an ‘open door policy’ and parents and carers are welcome to communicate with the school at any time.

Should you have any questions regarding your child, telephone the school using the site phone number or email info@breakthroughschool.co.uk , and our reception team will direct you to the relevant member of staff.

The school takes wellbeing very seriously. As well as our weekly check-ins with an allocated staff member, the Safeguarding team will check in with families throughout the year, including during holiday time. We distribute food vouchers, where applicable and support families in difficult times. Contact us for further information to see how we may be able to support you specifically.

We ask each family to complete an induction process which is personally designed to meet the individual needs of each learner.

This process is underpinned by following a structured, academic, social and pastoral initial assessment process, capturing the views of learners and their families, creating bespoke and personalised learning plans before learners join us, and by supporting learners educationally and emotionally throughout transition and beyond.

The school prides itself on its careers programme and has fantastic ‘positive destination’ data which demonstrates its success in this area.

Our aspirational Careers & Life Skills programme ensures our learners have experiences that set them up for independence and help them to realise their talents. This programme is under constant review to ensure it provides our learners with the very best chances for lifelong success. We look forward to shortly be offering additional work experience and independence training opportunities.

We work closely with post-16 colleagues to ensure all Year 11s have a positive pathway planned. Families are encouraged and supported through this process, to relieve any anxieties associated with next steps. We continue to track and support our leavers where possible.

We welcome an open dialogue with parents/carers and hope we can resolve any concerns as quickly as possible. If you have any concerns or are not happy with an aspect of school, then please request an informal meeting with a member of school staff and/or the Principal. If this does not resolve the concern, then please refer to our Complaints Procedure which explains how parents/carers can lodge a complaint. The Complaints Procedure is available from the school office or on our website.