Secondary 3

Head of Department : Ella Cove

Located at Waverley main site, Secondary 3 has three classes: Cherry, Hawthorn and Willow.


Overview
We truly value the opportunity to teach our Secondary 3 students during such a pivotal and transformative period in their lives, as they transition from childhood into young adulthood. This stage of development is both exciting and significant, and we are committed to supporting our students through this important journey as they navigate puberty and development.

We work closely with other professionals to create tailored visual aids, social stories, and practical activities that simplify complex concepts related to bodily changes, hygiene, and emotional development. Through hands-on demonstrations, role-play, and sensory experiences, children can understand these vital topics in a meaningful way. Our inclusive environment encourages open communication, and our consistent, repetitive teaching helps build confidence and understanding over time. By emphasising respect, dignity, consent and individual boundaries, our staff support children in exploring these changes safely and confidently, promoting their overall well-being and independence as they grow.

A key focus in our teaching approach is fostering independence. We achieve this by incorporating engaging physical activities and personal skills development into our curriculum, helping students gain confidence and self-reliance. Additionally, we emphasise the development of effective communication skills by utilising a variety of differentiated Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies. These include tools such as PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display), PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Eye Gaze systems, and Makaton. These strategies are carefully tailored to meet each student's individual needs, ensuring they can express themselves and interact confidently with those around them.

Ultimately, our goal is to nurture each student’s full potential, empowering them to become confident, independent, and capable individuals. We look forward to working closely with our students and their families, and to supporting them in becoming the very best they can be.

 

What do we offer?

  • Our school provides full-time education for children in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
  • Our dedicated staff are fully committed to supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring a safe and nurturing learning environment.
  • High levels of staffing ensure student safety and wellbeing.
  • Our team’s expertise enables us to tailor learning experiences that build on each child's individual skills, supporting their ongoing educational development. 


Curriculum Approach
We follow the Waverley curriculum which is a topic-based framework divided into different areas of learning across three levels, carefully adapted to meet the unique needs of our pupils.  Our curriculum is topic-based and differentiated into 3 levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 

Our students are encouraged to progress through the curriculum at their own pace, recognising that each learner is unique. We hold high expectations for every student, believing in their potential to achieve great things. Our dedicated team is committed to building upon the successes each student has already attained, providing the necessary support and challenges to inspire further growth and development.


Class Highlights

Hawthorn Class
Our class is specially designed to our students by fostering engaging, hands-on learning across all subjects. We passionately promote literacy, emphasising reading, writing, and effective communication, while making learning fun and meaningful. Students explore maths, science and geography by applying their skills to real-world situations within the community, encouraging practical understanding and problem-solving. A key focus is on understanding their bodies and the physical changes that come with puberty, helping students navigate this important stage confidently. Additionally, we prioritise emotional regulation and understanding of school and community rules, empowering children to build positive relationships and confidently participate in their environment. Through diverse activities and community-based projects, students develop a strong sense of connection to their surroundings, applying their knowledge in meaningful ways to foster independence and confidence.
 
Cherry class
Our classroom is a vibrant and dynamic space designed specifically for our students who benefit from attention-based and sensory-focused learning approaches. Some of our students face mobility challenges, and we tailor our activities to support their physical development through targeted exercises and adaptive equipment. The environment is lively and energetic, with students actively engaged and excited to learn. We leverage our excellent resources, including our soft play area, swimming pool, and well-equipped outdoor playground, to create a fun, stimulating, and multisensory learning experiences. Our activities incorporate attention-building tasks, physical movement, and sensory integration exercises to help students improve focus, coordination, and overall development. Additionally, we prioritise communication skills by utilising methods such as Makaton, PODD, and PECS, enabling students to express themselves and understand others more effectively. This holistic approach fosters a supportive, inclusive classroom where every child's unique needs are acknowledged and nurtured, promoting both learning and personal growth.
 
Willow class
Students thrive in our supportive class environment that emphasises sensory learning and personalised support. We dedicate time to developing our communication skills and exploring our environment using all of our senses to enhance understanding and engagement. Our curriculum is carefully tailored to meet each child's individual needs, while also encouraging us to challenge ourselves and achieve personal milestones. We focus heavily on improving our physical skills, and everyone is making fabulous progress, which enables us to access a rich and engaging curriculum. Each student receives daily physiotherapy, and we enjoy weekly swimming or hydrotherapy sessions that promote relaxation and physical development. Throughout our days, both students and staff share lots of fun working and playing together, fostering strong, caring relationships that create a warm and motivating classroom community.