Mountjoy Prospectus 2022

PA S S I O N RESPECT OPTIMISM

MOUNTJOY SCHOOL - PROSPECTUS

We are proud to be Mountjoy School

02

What we are all about

Mountjoy School is a fantastic place to learn and to work. Our pupils are
citizens of tomorrow and as such we endeavour to produce young people
who leave school with a strong sense of self, knowing future options and
being able to make well-informed choices. We do this through working
together with families and building strong links with the community.

We have developed an environment which provides opportunities to grow
emotionally, experience success and develop aspirations. This is achieved
through a personalised offer in which our learners are nurtured and
supported to develop their voice.

Collaboration is at our heart; we have partnerships with other schools,
health professionals and wider services in order to create a holistic
approach to meeting individual differences.

Mountjoy School “I feel I am part
of a team.”

PARENT

mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk

03

“Staff, parents and pupils set individual targets
based on EHC Plans. As a result of this work, pupils

at Mountjoy develop academically, personally
and socially.” OFSTED

04

“My child has achieved so much more here than I could
have hoped for. All the staff are wonderful and have
such patience. A lovely friendly environment too.” PARENT

05 Our approach to
teaching and learning

Our pupils have a range of different abilities, which require varied
teaching styles. However, the core of what we do is the same for all: our
enthusiasm is infectious so our pupils develop a love of learning. Every
person in school is treated with respect and it is this positive regard which
helps us to develop an optimistic mind-set.

We focus on ensuring communication is at the centre of our work,
including developing social skills or learning to use augmentative and
alternative means of communicating. This is woven into every lesson, but
individual provision is needed for some.

Staff are committed to overcoming obstacles and encourage pupils to
work on knowing what to do when they are stuck.

“I didn’t know she could
do that on her own.”

PARENT

Mountjoy School mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk

06

What we teach

Many of our pupils remain in our nursery classroom until the end of
year 1. They learn in a child-led way, usually the most appropriate
environment for their stage of learning. Pupils are then placed into
a class which is best able to meet their needs, with an informal, semi-
formal or formal curriculum, following consultation with parents and staff.

In secondary, we expect greater independence across the range of national
curriculum subjects, and we put an emphasis on preparation for adulthood.
In our Post 16 classes, we focus on consolidating readiness for work and/
or independent living skills.

Whichever pathway, our principles of personalisation, breadth
of curriculum, developing confidence, emotional wellbeing and
independence, and working towards the next stage are the foundations
on which all learning is built.

Mountjoy School “I feel my child has
found their place.”

PARENT

mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk

07

“The school provides a wide range of interesting opportunities
such as theme weeks, beach school and residential trips.
This means that pupils have opportunities to broaden
their horizons.” OFSTED

08

“Mountjoy has made a huge difference in our
lives; much happier child equals a much happier
home and family life.” PARENT

09 How we make sure our
practice is right for the
individual

As everybody is different at Mountjoy, we expect to adopt a range
of approaches. In order to maximise learning in school, we work in
partnership with pupils and their families and other professionals to
fit in with personal preferences and also to give our young people a
broad range of experiences. This changes over time and some of our
pupils may move back into mainstream, if this matches their development.

Staff are reflective and encouraged to research and share latest thinking
on teaching neuro-divergence or the way in which our brains process,
learn or behave differently from what is considered “typical”. We reflect
on what works well and encourage our pupils to learn how to learn and
to keep themselves regulated at school and at home.

“It’s so satisfying to mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk
find ways to increase

engagement.”

TEACHER

Mountjoy School

Our therapeutic 10
approach

A wide range of therapy options are offered to pupils, depending on
individual needs. These include SaLT, Occupational Therapy, MOVE,
Physiotherapy, Music Therapy, Rebound Therapy, Hydrotherapy, RDA,
and Counselling. We work in partnership with professionals and families
to create and deliver programmes that inspire and engage pupils
and that deliver the best outcomes for them. Often programmes are
interspersed with learning and carried out in the class room.

We also adopt a therapeutic approach to behaviour management;
we are a Dorset Steps school and understand that behaviour is a form
of communication.

Mountjoy School “... now we are using the
school programme at
home we’ve seen
a difference.”

PARENT

mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk

11

“He loves school and enjoys routines. His regular
hydro sessions are so beneficial to his health.”

PARENT

12

“I loved learning how to cook at school and I am
good at it now and have a job at a café in Bridport.”

EX- PUPIL

13 Moving towards
independence

At Mountjoy we want our pupils to leave school and be prepared for the
next stage of their educational journey. We support them to take an active
role in their local community, through taking part in activities, doing work
experience and volunteering. We want them to have happy and healthy
futures and therefore enable them to develop skills to manage emotional
and physical health needs, independently or with support.

Independent living skills are taught explicitly across the school and
developing skills towards becoming independent is embedded throughout
the curriculum. Pupils learn to look after themselves and live as safely and
as independently as possible in their community, thus reaching their full
potential and making a positive and meaningful contribution to society.

“Mountjoy has certainly mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk
done a good job of

preparing my son to face
his future confidently!”

PARENT

Mountjoy School

14

Life after Mountjoy

We prepare children and young people for adulthood so they have
options and aspirations. They will be living in a modern world and
our job is to make sure they are well-equipped.

Where it is the best option, we recommend pupils move to mainstream
college at the end of year 11 (aged 16). With this in mind, we start working
on a transition plan from year 9 onwards and visit local provision. We
help pupils to identify what they need to do to get where they want to
be. If pupils aren’t ready to move, they have the option to stay in our
Post 16 for 1 to 3 years, which focuses on further maths and English/
communication development, life and living skills and vocational studies.

Mountjoy School “I will get a good job.
That’s what I want.”

PUPIL

mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk

15

“Now everything is starting to get sorted for me. I am in
independent living and I go to college and I do voluntary
work on my day off. School really helped me.” EX-PUPIL

U N D E R S TA N D I N G D E T E R M I N AT I O N

OUR VALUES
PASSION: use time well and enjoy it; life is precious
RESPECT: treat others properly; we are all equal, we are stronger together
OPTIMISM: be hopeful; imagine the best future and make it happen
UNDERSTANDING: walk in someone else’s footsteps; help each other
DETERMINATION: strive to overcome obstacles; we can make it work

Mountjoy School, Tunnel Road, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3HB
Telephone: 01308 861155

Email: [email protected]
www.mountjoy.dorset.sch.uk

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