INTRODUCTION
Park School is a Blackpool Council Children and Young People’s Department Community Special School for boys and girls aged 4 to 16 years from Blackpool and surrounding areas. There are currently 149 pupils on roll.
Location
The school is situated in a pleasant area of the well-known seaside resort of Blackpool, approximately one-mile inland from the town centre and sea front. Nearby is the large open space and recreational and sports area of Stanley Park, and in close proximity to the new Whitegate Drive Health Centre and Woodlands School for pupils with S.L.D.
The Buildings and Site
The school was opened in September 1960, and the architecture reflects the style of that period. The main building is on one level and comprises of a general-purpose school hall with a kitchen adjoining, a primary wing with four classrooms; a secondary wing with four classrooms; a science room; a technology room; and a food technology room. The main reception and offices and the staffroom are situated centrally.
There are three outlying "teaching blocks". The Infants and Foundation Stage are based in the new purpose built 'Jubilee Building' which comprises of two classrooms, and additional specialist provision including a dedicated therapy base and sensory and soft play areas, which opened in May 2002. One further classroom and an art room are provided in a second brick-constructed building. In April 2004 the refurbishment of a derelict stable building was completed at a cost approaching half a million pounds. The building provides a dedicated ICT suite, a music/drama studio, school library, two further classrooms and additional office space situated in a two storey building.
Outside is a large playing field, floodlit Multi Use Games Area, separate playgrounds for infants, juniors and seniors and a car parking area.
Building developments
In the last twelve years the school and CSA have invested substantially in improving the site, security and facilities of the buildings.
This has included:
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Provision of a fully equipped Science room.
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Window and fascia boards’ replacement scheme to UPVC units.
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Installation of a new staff shower room and toilet and new female staff toilets.
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The installation of a 24 hour closed circuit television surveillance system.
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Electronic Security locks to all external doors.
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Improved security lighting.
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New carpeting to corridors and teaching areas.
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Installation of low-line ceilings and new lighting throughout the school.
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Whole-school redecoration.
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Refurbishment of the secondary school yard.
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Extensive refurbishment of secondary pupils toilets and PE changing rooms.
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New playground area for Key Stage 2.
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Refurbishment of Food Technology Room.
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Refurbishment of main entrance and reception area with improved disability access and additional office space.
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Refurbishment of main office, resource area and new staffroom.
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Floodlit Multi use games area for school and community use – opened June 2006
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Refurbishment of Key Stage 2 boys toilets, and extension to Headteacher’s Office.
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New disabled toilet and shower room.
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Refurbishment of School Hall and installation of new lighting rig and electronic curtains to staging.
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Refurbishment of all Junior Classrooms.
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Provision of a new office space for the Learning Mentor and PCSO.
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Revised vehicular access to the school site and creation of a new 20 place car park at the rear of the school (January 2010).
The Pupils
All pupils admitted into the school have a Statement of Special Education Needs and have moderate and/or complex learning difficulties with varying degrees of associated social, emotional and behavioural needs. Most are admitted either from local mainstream Schools or Nurseries. However, because of the nature of Blackpool there is a significant transitory population, and some pupils move into the area with only partly completed statements. Children are regularly admitted to school throughout the school year.
Our pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum adapted to meet the needs of each individual. In addition to gaining language, mathematical, scientific, technological, artistic and physical skills, our aim is for children to build confidence, develop self-reliance, learn to make decisions and develop the ability to express feelings and ideas.
We also attach great importance to the personal, social and moral development of pupils, and seek to enable them to build positive relationships with other pupils and adults, and to be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others. We work hard to ensure that all pupils feel good about themselves and acquire a high level of self-esteem in order to promote self-confidence.
Home to school transport is provided by the CSA where appropriate and older pupils are encouraged to travel independently where feasible.
The Staff
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School Leadership Team of Head, one Deputy Head, and one Assistant Head.
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Four phase Team Leaders (TLR Allowance) who have a curriculum, pastoral and team leadership responsibility for one age phase of the school.
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Lead Behavioral Professional (TLR Allowance)
All teaching staff have leadership responsibilities for curriculum areas across the whole school.
The Head, Deputy and Team Leaders meet regularly as a School Management Team. All other staff meet within Keystage teams or curriculum development teams. There are twice weekly morning staff briefings and whole school staff meetings are held as appropriate.
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Nursery Nurses and Special Support Assistants are integral members of each Keystage Team. At present there are 25 such posts, including 3 Higher Level Teaching Assistants: 3 in KS1, 6 in KS2, 6 in KS3 and 8 in KS4. Two further Support Staff are deployed specifically to support mainstream links.
OFSTED INSPECTION
The School was last inspected in October 2009 and the pupils, parents, staff and Governors were all very proud when the ‘overall effectiveness of the school’ was judged as ‘Outstanding’. The school was also judged as ‘Outstanding’ in it’s previous full Inspection in May 2007.
The most recent report highlighted the many strengths of the school:-
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•This is a wonderful school.
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•It is held in exceptionally high esteem by parents.
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•Pupils arrive each morning bursting with enthusiasm for the day ahead.
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•Pupils love attending and staff thoroughly enjoy working with them.
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•The curriculum provides all pupils with a wealth of memorable experiences and learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom.
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•The enjoyment and thrill of learning is evident in so many lessons.
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•Classrooms provide vibrant and celebratory environment for learning.
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•All pupils are cared for, supported and guided exceptionally well by an extremely skilled and dedicated team.
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•The pride that staff and pupils share helps create an atmosphere in which pupils strive to do their best and thoroughly enjoy doing so in a safe and happy environment.
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•As they pass through school pupils become vastly more independent.
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•Promoting pupils’ personal development and well being lies at the heart of the school and is outstanding.
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•Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.
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•The outcomes of this are clearly evident in pupils’ excellent behaviour and their consideration and support of one another.
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•The excellent brass band performs extensively in the wider community.
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•The school has a high profile in the local community.
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•The school has an excellent partnership with Palatine Community Sports College which enables higher attaining KS4 pupils to learn alongside mainstream peers.
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•School strongly promotes healthy lifestyles.
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•Staff form highly productive and respectful relationships with pupils.
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•Rigorous systems and procedures help to ensure the safety of pupils.
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•Staff are passionate about their jobs and there is a tremendous sense of teamwork.
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•The overall effectiveness of the Early Years and Foundation Stage is outstanding.
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•The effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding.
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•This is the second time the school has been judged to be outstanding, resounding evidence of it’s capacity to sustain improvement.
The full report can be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.uk – ‘schools’
Park School is also proud to say it has received the following awards:
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•Investors In People
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•Artsmark Gold
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•Eco School’s Green Flag
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•Healthy Schools Status
Registered Charity No 1091560
"We grow together, we learn together, we will achieve our best together."
Grow, learn, achieve
