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Services in Calderdale

Special schools

Early years

Priority nursery places are allocated in nurseries attached to mainstream schools in order to ensure that children with the most need gain maximum benefit from early years provision.

Primary special schools: Highbury and Wood Bank

Both Highbury and Wood Bank are generic special schools that take children with a wide range of special needs between the ages of two and eleven years of age. Both offer a broad and balanced curriculum and can provide a high level of care provision and support. Both schools are modern buildings on one level. Highbury has a hydrotherapy pool.

Highbury School is situated at Lower Edge Road, Rastrick, Brighouse. Wood Bank School is situated at Dene View, Luddendenfoot, Halifax.

Secondary special school: Ravenscliffe

Ravenscliffe High School is a generic special school which takes pupils from 11 to 19 years of age who have special needs. Some students may choose to leave once they reach 16 and go on to college, although the majority do stay on into the sixth form.

The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum that reflects the requirements of the National Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on teaching basic skills and 'life skills' to help students when they leave school.

There are links with Calderdale College and the Calderdale and Kirklees Careers Service, with opportunities to join work experience schemes where this is practicable.

The school is in a building on one level and has a hydrotherapy pool. It is situated at Skircoat Green, Halifax.

Young people 16 to 19 years of age

There are a number of different opportunities available for young people with special educational needs beyond the age of 16. These include:

• Sixth forms in Calderdale secondary schools (application should be made to the Headteacher of the school concerned). Support will continue to be available through the statement of special educational needs up to the age of 19 years.
  
• Further education colleges (the local college is Calderdale College, Francis Street, Halifax).
• Training courses (provided by local training organisations where young people can experience one or more areas of work).
• Residential further education courses - for a very small number of young people whose individual needs cannot be met by local colleges of further education.

Calderdale and Kirklees Careers have a team of specialist advisers for young people aged 16 to 19 with special educational needs. The advisers are happy to discuss any problems, queries with parents / carers or the young person themselves.

• Contact:
• Margaret Woodcock
  Calderdale and Kirklees Careers Partnership
• Telephone:
• 01484 226780.

Independent travel training

The Independent Travel Scheme is a structured programme designed to teach students who have special educational needs how to travel independently. For further information: Independent travel training.

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