 
The School offers the City & Guilds Personal Progress Foundation Learning Programme for students 14-19. The programme offers increased choice and flexibility for learners and a personalised learning programme that reflects needs, allowing learners to develop their potential and progress into further education or a more independent life. Qualifications are achieved by building up credits from a choice of 32 units.
The programme spans a wide range of achievement from the ability to encounter experiences to the ability to apply basic skills, knowledge and understanding to a range of familiar experiences.
The units include literacy, numeracy, ICT, independent living, personal care, keeping fit and healthy, community awareness and creative skills.
In both Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form basic skills will be the major part of the curriculum. In addition, students in Key Stage 4 will focus on independent living skills which will be extended in the Sixth Form to include rights and responsibilities, dealing with problems, work experience and transition.
Qualifications can be gained at award, certificate and diploma level based on the number of credits achieved.
Choose David Lewis School and you will:
- Learn to do new things
- Learn to do more things on your own
- Develop your social skills and make new friends
- Improve your communication skills - and be able to tell people what you want
- Fulfill your potential
At David Lewis School everything we do is focused on you. We've great plans for you. And our learning plans are just like you - individual.
Our 'Learner Voice' ethos means you are listened to, heard and respected. That is why developing your communication skill is central to what we do.
You will be taught in small groups of 5 or less, in one classroom, with your teacher and your very own individual support. Some of our learners find transition difficult, so we will help you in every way we can - through community visits, PE, swimming and developing work experience opportunities, both on site and in the wider community. Each learner at the David Lewis School receives support from their teacher, senior key worker or teaching assistant and care staff.
This means you benefit from having the same teacher for all of your classes, plus the joint involvement from your team of key workers across both your educational and residential units (for residential pupils). Your teacher and key worker team will work together to set goals and discuss your achievements. This close and consistent relationship will help to shape your progress.
A range of regular reviews mean you can progress along your journey towards greater independence. Your 'Individual Learning Plan', which will be created with you, your therapists, house team and teachers and shared with your family and circle of support. Setting challenging, yet achievable targets, we will help you to develop; independently and socially. Progress is captured and measured using the "B squared" system as well as photo story records.
Outstanding care, guidance and support enable pupils to reach challenging targets resulting in the achievement of outstanding personal development and well being – Ofsted´.
Communication and language development is the core of our curriculum. The swimming pool is a vital part of the toolkit and you will take part in weekly interactive communication sessions in the pool with the speech and language staff. Literacy and numeracy is developed via creative writing or by embedding it into other activities.
The community is used effectively to develop skills. Using our fleet of adapted minibuses, you are able to develop social interaction skills whilst shopping and using local amenities including a climbing wall and horse riding. On other occasions the community come to us. We regularly host visits from organisations such as Macclesfield Town Football Club, the animal man with his insects and reptiles and the Music in Hospitals team
Physical education is high on our list of priorities. We have a range of adapted bikes which enable everyone to take part. Country dancing is a favourite with many, as is the sensory soft play centre with its ball pool, housed in the spacious sports hall. The tropical warmth of our pool is eagerly anticipated in weekly swimming sessions.
Information Communication Technology (ICT) engages all learners. Interactive Omnivista technology turns floor spaces into an ongoing experience of movement, action, fun and excitement. Sensory screens enable pupils to take control of their learning and access the whole range of appropriate online learning materials. Art and creative skills may be developed using ICT or by using more traditional materials.
Work related learning is encouraged via work experience and through engaging in Team Enterprise.
Equality and diversity and health and safety are experienced and developed through embedded curriculum activities.
Specialist staff work alongside the teaching and care staff enabling individual programmes to be delivered through everyday activities. Aspects of a physiotherapy programme will be delivered whilst in the swimming pool or by encouraging a pupil to walk to a computer screen in a classroom. A behaviour plan will be delivered by all staff consistent applying approaches identified by the psychology and behaviour team, whenever and where ever they interact with a pupil.
´Teachers develop strong relationships with pupils and manage their behaviour extremely well – Ofsted´
Get the very most from life
At David Lewis, our learning environments take many forms. But every one is relaxed and most importantly, designed for fun learning experiences. Our diverse range of indoor and outdoor facilities bring education and learning to life.
If you are a residential student learning never stops. We have a selection of residential holidays, clubs and leisure trips for you to take advantage of. These activities can be available to day learners. Parents can discuss this with the Head Teacher.
And as we are dedicated to making sure your voice is heard, there is a School Council too - giving you the opportunity to make decisions about events and activities.
Whether you are on site, or enjoying the many nearby towns and cities such as Manchester or Chester – you will be able to make the most of great learning experiences.
We will help you grow - in every way. Our team is highly trained in teaching and supporting you. Using a range of strategies and aids, to develop your communication and social interaction, we create positive learning environments for all our learners.
Following a structured, individual timetable, you can benefit from the very best learning experiences.
Your achievements will be highlighted regularly, in weekly celebrations of achievement. You will have fun. And you will have lots of opportunities to develop both new and existing skills.
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