Mission, Vision, Ethos and Values
Vision
“Breaking the Mould” - Reframing teaching and learning to realise the potential in every individual.
Sherwood Foundation School prides itself on its individualised, trans-disciplinary approach to learning; with the child/ young person and their family at the heart of our practice. We are dedicated to using strengths based, relationship focused, developmentally appropriate, person-centred practices to support the learning and growth of all in our school community (see whole school approaches and interventions document on our website). We aim to create a school culture and learning environment that facilitates the active engagement and participation of our learners, using motivating and meaningful activities that support the development of regulation, communication and life skills in preparation for adulthood. We believe that social-emotional development, built on strong relationships, is an essential foundation for the development of well-being, communication and learning.
The School’s ‘commitment to ‘breaking the mould’ is not only a slogan, but a practice that is woven into the fabric of the school’s culture’ Ofsted 2024.
Mission
To provide a strengths based, wellbeing centred education, rooted in Self-Reg, that celebrates, challenges and empowers our students to belong, self-advocate and move forward with purpose, ready to succeed as adults.
‘Pupils are prepared exceptionally well to be confident, independent and ready for adulthood.’ Ofsted 2024.
‘Pupils are prepared exceptionally well to be confident, independent and ready for adulthood.’ Ofsted 2024.
Values
All staff at Sherwood Foundation School are supported to work within our LEARN values which embodies our vision and mission to ensure best practice is achieved within our school every day:
Listening and responding to the voices of everyone in our school community and beyond
Enabling our learners and the whole school community to be the best they can be
Accepting and celebrating individual differences and neurodiversity
Respecting everyone in all areas of their life & learning
Nurturing the individual to develop regulation, autonomy and independence
LEARNing is everywhere at Sherwood Foundation School
When children and young people start at our school we complete a holistic assessment to determine a baseline of each learner’s abilities and barriers to learning. This begins with gaining a clear understanding of what the learner likes and enjoys; including the things that give feelings of comfort, happiness and contentment, as well as those things that provide freedom from stress, discomfort or pain. As part of this assessment we work hard to really listen to what our learners and their families are communicating through their overall well-being, non-verbal, augmented & verbal communication, physical and sensory behaviour and ability to remain regulated. We understand and accept that the children and young people at our school learn differently to their neurotypical peers and that they have different motivations and learning styles/needs. This supports us to develop an individualised curriculum that enables them to learn best.
We respect our learners as individuals and continuously monitor their progress and outcomes to ensure that our involvement, as well as their curriculum and support mechanisms, continues to meet their needs. We take time to consider what meaningful outcomes really look like for each learner, ensuring that their curriculum prioritises the skills they need to cope and live happy, meaningful lives as adults, as valued members of their community. We recognise that high expectations for our learners may be paired with high levels of support. We also recognise that listening to the student and parent voice is essential for best practice and meaningful outcomes.
We aim to work as a trans-disciplinary, multi-agency team in a seamless way, using teaching and therapeutic approaches that fit within our values and that nurture the individual to deliver best outcomes in preparation for adult life.
‘Sherwood (Foundation) School provides a nurturing environment in which pupils thrive’ Ofsted 2024.
Ethos
Driven by our values, progressive in our thinking, collaborative in our approach.