Our School
Downland School is a co-educational maintained community special school, for pupils aged between 10 and 16. All pupils have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). For the majority, the primary identified need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and behavioural difficulties. Additionally, pupils have a range of other special educational needs such as Autism, Attention Deficit Difficulties AD(H)D, Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), conduct disorders and attachment profiles.
We offer 90 placements for pupils referred from the local authority and primarily our pupils come from Wiltshire. However, we also educate young people from other nearby regional authorities. The school is situated on the southern edge of Devizes in beautiful countryside and opened in 1971 as a residential provision for boys. In 2014 the residential side of the school was closed and in 2017 we welcomed girls to our school.
We are an inclusive, friendly and happy school and are proud of the achievements and progress that all of our pupils make. The staff work as a cohesive multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively to ensure our pupils overcome their individual barriers to engagement and learning. We provide care, guidance, stability, consistency and the highest quality of education and support. Our aim is to secure accelerated learning and prepare all of our pupils for life beyond Downland.
We promote the highest standards of educational achievement at all levels and deliver a broad and balanced education experience. Our curriculum is carefully planned, sequenced and personalised according to need.
The success of the school is undoubtedly linked to the dedication of staff, engagement of parents/carers, our strong multi-agency partnership work and our ability to motivate our pupils. We support our pupils to re-define their attitudes and approaches to learning and build resilience. We seek to ensure that, by the time our pupils leave us they emerge as self-confident individuals. They are able to manage their own lifelong learning journey, and are equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take their next steps in education and their lives.
Our mission statement is Aspire, Achieve and Thrive.
Georgina Keily-Theobald - Headteacher
Richard Green - Chair of Governors
