Our school offer
Our aim is to provide pupils with a range of opportunities so that they can reach their full potential.
Redefining education
We redefine education by seamlessly integrating three essential pillars: education, therapy and futures. We don't just educate; we nurture support and propel our pupils towards a future where their potential knows no bounds. Join us on a transformative journey, where education extends beyond textbooks, therapy and nurtures resilience, and futures are shaped with purpose and promise.
Education
We foster an excitement and a love of learning in our pupils by following the national curriculum. Our curriculum and tasks set are challenging yet achievable, enabling children and young people to grow in confidence and prepare for life beyond the classroom. We also provide enrichment activities through educational visits and field trips to support and enhance learning experiences.
With a backdrop of our small class sizes, with no more than nine pupils per class, each child and young person receives a bespoke curriculum tailored to their needs, which is fully integrated with our social development programme.
Our commitment to a well-rounded education includes a focus on social development. Through activities that promote collaboration, friendship, social interaction, and teamwork, pupils build essential interpersonal skills. These experiences help them develop communication, empathy, and the ability to work well with others. By developing friendships and a sense of community, children and young people learn to value diverse perspectives and support one another, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that strengthens their social growth.
The results speak for themselves as young people leave us with nationally recognised outcomes at a level that is right for them, ranging from entry-level certificates to functional skills, BTECs and GCSEs. This equips them to confidently take their next steps into further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Our offer
We provide unique learning opportunities for our pupils to help them engage with learning so that they can develop skills and grow in confidence to become proud members of our school community.
We have officially partnered with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which was set up by one of the world’s greatest sporting icons. The aim of the organisation is to support and develop sports activities for children and young people all over the world.
Our state of the art Cruyff Court, is an all-weather pitch which supports small group sports, including football, basketball, volleyball and netball, and an additional grassed field area. The aim of the space is where pupils can grow, make friends and improve their mental health.
The Court was officially opened by Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool FC’s star defender, Dutch national team captain and Johan Cruyff Foundation’s Ambassador.
Scroll through the photos from the event below and read all about the official opening here
For some young people with special educational needs a residential boarding placement can offer the right balance of education, support and stability that will then allow them to make rapid academic progress and develop socially. This will then allow them to make rapid academic progress and develop socially, achieved by our 24-hour curriculum.
The young person will attend the school as a day pupil, benefiting from the expertise and support we offer whilst the residential offer provides a warm and welcoming environment that allows for the development of positive relationships with peers and adults. The dedicated staff team create a family atmosphere where shared experiences provide opportunities for personal development and a sense of belonging.
Our young people live in our boarding houses and return to their home setting on a weekly basis, returning home on weekends and school holidays.
Our strong ethos and co-ordinated approach sees school and boarding staff work closely with parents and carers to enable each child or young person to develop into confident, independent and ambitious young adults.
The approach has a strong focus on enriching each young person’s social and communication skills which enables them to make friends, engage in new activities and experiences, and move forward with an ambition to discover and learn. The school and boarding staff teams both support and positively challenge each young person to widen their scope of life experiences and encourage them to experiment and undertake fresh challenge, which ultimately results in them improving their knowledge, skills and ability. Every pupil is guided by experienced and empathetic professionals who will be able to plan and adapt to ensure pupils achieve and succeed.
We aim to provide pupils with opportunities so that they can reach milestones in education and make progress with their emotional wellbeing and social development. The teaching, support and clinical staff team at Pontville are an integral part of reaching this aim as the expertise and drive of our professionals ensure pupils access a range of programmes so that they can flourish and enjoy learning in our inspiring environment.
Pontville School benefits from superb outdoor facilities including a MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area), trim-trail, swings, woodland area, sensory garden, horticulture area and animal/farm area . Teachers often maximise use of these spaces when delivering various aspects of the curriculum but pupils can also access these areas for specific lessons, courses or activities, including Personal Development lessons, Enrichment activities and during break and lunch-times.
Pontville School meets the needs of pupils from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 5 (age 5 to 19). Our curriculum is underpinned by the belief that all of our pupils are capable and important and deserve the very best school experience possible. In addition, our shared values (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Proud), are integral to our approach and are frequently revisited through a focus on emotional regulation, social communication development, safety and preparation for adulthood at all ages. This is achieved through our specialised Personal Development curriculum as well as our Enrichment offer, both of which complement and enhance the statutory PSHE and Citizenship programme of learning.
Our curriculum is based on the requirements of the National Curriculum, but is adapted by teachers to suit the needs of individuals. At Key Stages 1 and 2 (primary), expert teaching of reading is provided, including phonics for those pupils at the early stages of reading. Pupils access all other core and foundation subjects, often based around a theme, text or cross-curricular topic. At Key Stages 3 and 4 (secondary), the focus on reading continues and pupils who need extra help with this receive it in a timely and consistent way. Pupils receive subject-specific teaching, often visiting subject specialists in designated classrooms such as the Science Laboratory, Food Technology Room and Art Room. Towards the end of Key Stage 3, pupils select their chosen qualification courses to begin at Key Stage 4. Alongside the compulsory courses such as English, Maths, Science, PSHE and PE, pupils can choose to study qualifications in subjects such as Music, Art, Cooking/Food Technology, Computing and Humanities.
Pontville School has a positive track record of pupils achieving a variety of qualifications at Year 11 and Post 16. Such qualifications are reflective of each pupil’s strengths and abilities and in the past have included GCSEs, Functional Skills, Entry Level and Access to HE courses. The school determines which qualification pathway each pupil will pursue, taking account of the preferences and needs of pupils, as well as the views of their parents/carers.
The school is open on GCSE Results Day and senior staff are present to discuss and celebrate results, as well as providing advice and support around next steps.
Transitioning to further education, training or employment is made easier for Year 11 leavers with the support of our staff team.
Working with pupils and their families, staff facilitate Independent Careers Advice and Guidance to help them make informed choices about their future aspirations. Furthermore, pupils access taster sessions at our 16-19 Centre to help them discover their interests and plan their next steps with confidence and interest.
With the help and support of staff, they are able to create a plan for their post-16 education. If a pupil decides to attend an external post-16 provider, we will also contact the SEN coordinator to ensure that they are informed of any special arrangements or support that needs to be in place for the student. We will also ensure that all relevant supporting documents are shared to help with the transition to support the provider and student.
Pontville 16-19 Centre
Pontville School’s 16-19 Centre is based in Skelmersdale; nine miles away from the main school site. This complements our offer for all ages at the main school site.
Pontville School’s 16-19 Centre provides students with an opportunity to continue their education in a smaller, nurturing environment. Students can access both vocational and academic pathways, in line with their interests and strengths and the centre is fully equipped with classrooms, workshops and specialist teaching areas. Students continue to study across five days and also benefit from continued access to our therapy provisions should they need it. There is a continued focus on work-related learning alongside a wider preparation for adulthood.
All Post 16 students must select a progressive study route and can choose from a wide range of courses. Where pupils did not achieve a Grade 4 or above in English or Maths, they will continue to study those subjects and work towards a relevant qualification suited to their abilities.
The courses we offer at Post 16 currently include:
• GCSE Maths and English
• Level 3 Extended Project
• Access to HE
• Entry Level – Level 1/2 Customer Service, Construction, Hair and Beauty, Motor Vehicle Maintenance, Catering/Professional Cookery, Employability, Small Animal Care, Ceramics.
All Post 16 students also have access to PSHE and Preparation for Adulthood lessons as well as impartial careers guidance, work experience and voluntary work placements. Some students also choose to access Duke of Edinburgh Award, Sports Leaders Award and Independent Living Skills Diploma.
The Preparation for Adulthood toolkit, developed by the Department for Education, is used as a framework to support our students further as they prepare for adulthood. In the timetabled sessions, they work towards meeting the following objectives:
Employment skills - Crafting personalised CVs, students develop and practice interview techniques and explore skills needed in customer service, teamwork, effective communication, and problem-solving skills.
Independent living - By exploring budgeting, cooking, and time management, they develop a sense of financial responsibility and autonomy. We also offer travel training to help them develop their confidence and independence so that they can add to their ever-growing toolkit of life skills.
Community inclusion - Taking part in community activities enhances their social skills and emotional well-being. This network also contributes to keeping them safe outside school, as they witness communities often promote watchfulness and mutual care. Moreover, it brings awareness of the criminal justice system, educating our young people about legal responsibilities and consequences.
Health - Understanding the importance of personal well-being, including physical and mental health, contributes to a holistic approach to independent living. Students can also identify when to seek professional help from a GP.
By embracing the principles of independent living, students gain the confidence and resilience needed to transition successfully into adulthood, with a sense of empowerment and self-reliance.
The 16-19 Centre also houses an independent living area that simulates a home environment, which is part of the programme. They also take responsibility for maintaining the upkeep of the centre by organising and cleaning, which further develops a sense of pride, confidence and independence.
We strongly believe in providing our students with opportunities to experience the world of work through our work experience programme. The students' experience working in a range of industries allows them to plan ahead and carve out a future for themselves in an area of interest.
We actively work on developing partnerships with local businesses through our Futures programme so that a range of industries are on offer. The opportunity to speak to leaders and inspiring entrepreneurs and experience the work environment provides them with the chance to develop their interpersonal skills as well as instil a sense of ambition and work ethic. This coupled with our approach in developing their social and emotional skills sets them up to become confident and resilient members of both the centre and their local communities.
Throughout the year, students lead enterprise activities. They plan, develop and work together to deliver events, such as the Christmas market, where parents, carers, pupils and staff come together to enjoy an evening of festive fun.
Before our students come to the end of their journey with us we work with them, their parents and carers and other agencies to ensure that the next steps of their journey into adulthood are confident and successful ones.
Planned transitions for each one of our students has resulted in them either continuing with education, pursuing apprenticeships or taking steps into the world of work.
Our care and keen interest in their success continues after they leave us. Our Family Liaison Officer contacts students and their families after a period of time to find out how they are doing on their new and exciting pathway into adulthood. If additional help and advice is required, they are signposted to professional services that can help them to continue with their journey.
Therapy
Our on-site Clinical Team provide pupils with unrivalled levels of therapeutic support, in terms of the level of expertise, the ratio of qualified therapists and clinicians to children and young people, and the range of therapies offered. Pupils have the support of our Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other specialists as required.
We believe that unless a child or young person is able to feel emotionally safe and secure, they are less likely to fulfil their personal, social and educational potential. Our unique approach to supporting young people through our Wave Model enables them to go on to realise a future filled with aspiration and achievement.
Pontville School's Clinical Team complete thorough and skilled assessments that support a shared understanding of the complex needs we see in our children and young people. This enables us to put purposeful and appropriate interventions in place and assess our effectiveness through the tracking of outcomes and impact.
Futures
At Pontville School we are dedicated to raising the aspirations of our pupils, while also equipping them with the skills and confidence to realise outstanding outcomes.
The Futures programme inspires and connects pupils with their next steps beyond education, utilising a growing network of over 350 employer partnerships, including the likes of Microsoft, Mercedes and John Lewis, to provide outstanding experiences of the workplace and ongoing opportunities and support.
Our Futures sessions provide practical guidance on job applications, confidence-building, networking, and workplace expectations, giving children and young people the tools to navigate their career paths with clarity. Complementing this, our Futures curriculum enriches academic growth while developing personal development and career readiness, ensuring they are prepared for their chosen paths. With no upper age limit on support, the programme boasts a 100% success rate in transitioning students into education, employment, or training.