Highfield School is an area community special school taking children from a wide area around Ely. Places are offered to both girls and boys within a 2-19 year age range. All of our pupils have a statement of special educational needs, which refers to a significant and complex learning difficulty. Highfield is therefore a school for pupils with moderate, severe or profound learning difficulties and for children with autism. Some may have associated behavioural problems, physical disabilities, sensory, communication or medical problems.  Highfield is a very popular school which enjoys a very good reputation in the county and places are in high demand. 

The school is situated on the edge of the City of Ely in Cambridgeshire.  It occupies large and attractively landscaped grounds and is in very close proximity to City of Ely College and The Lantern Primary School.  These two schools, Highfield and six other local schools form ‘The Ely Schools Partnership’.  We enjoy very good relationships with our partnership schools.  We all benefit from each others expertise, experiences, facilities and resources, working together to support inclusive practices across the partnership.  OFSTED wrote of Highfield ‘Students leave the school well prepared for the next steps in their education because of the good curriculum’. December 2008.

The school was built in the 1950s for primary education and was refurbished and extended for our purposes in 1999.  We moved from our old and inadequate building in September 1999 and consider ourselves to be very fortunate to have such a beautiful and well maintained school.  The school is in spacious well-planned accommodation that includes specialist teaching rooms: hall/gymnasium, food technology, science/technology, art, music, ICT, library, soft play and sound/light room. Visiting therapists have their own suite including offices and therapy rooms. We have two Variety Club Sunshine minibuses, which enable pupils to go out on educational trips to the swimming pool, leisure centre, riding stables and visits further a field.

The school is organised into three main departments, Primary (nursery, KS1/2), Key Stage 3 and Leavers (KS4/Post16). Classes are small, staffed by a teacher and sufficient teaching assistants to ensure good staff to pupil ratio.  OFSTED said that ‘Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the way it cares for their children and helps them to make progress.’ December 2008.

Our aim is to help children to achieve the highest standards of performance in all areas of their development so that they become as independent as possible. The school follows the National Curriculum, which is modified to meet the individual needs of each pupil. The youngest pupils have a nursery, pre-school curriculum based on the Foundation Curriculum and National Curriculum P Scales.  Students in Key Stage 4 and Post 16 follow nationally accredited courses, which continue to develop basic skills but also prepare them for life after school.

We aim to help children to be aware of good behaviour and self-control. We provide a positive ethos throughout the school giving praise, encouragement and rewards when appropriate.  OFSTED recognised that ‘Across the school, through excellent relationships with staff and the effective support they receive in their lessons, students work exceptionally hard and concentrate remarkably well.’ December 2008.

We are committed to improve the work of the school and welcome the support provided by parents, staff, governors and partners across a range of services.  OFSTED reported that ‘A clear vision by the Headteacher and determination for improvement, together with strong teamwork, are at the heart of the good leadership and management of the school. All staff know the part they should play and work hard to achieve the goals set out in their particular action plans and the strong improvement plan ’ December 2009.

Highfield School aims to: -

ü      Develop the full potential of each pupil, equipping them to contribute positively to the society in which they live.

ü      Cater for each pupil’s education and personal needs by creating individual learning programmes.

ü      Create a happy, safe, supportive and appropriate environment in which pupils can learn and develop.

ü      Value its staff and encourage them to contribute positively to the school’s development and pursue personal career and professional development opportunities.

ü      Work in partnership with parents, governors and other professionals for the benefit of the pupils

ü      Promote, maintain and extend links with the local community, schools, businesses and social groups, making full use of the available, local amenities.

ü      Work in partnership with the City of Ely College the primary schools in the Ely School’s Partnership and other local schools and colleges.

ü      Develop a full and varied range of activities to embrace the extended schools, outreach services and inclusion agendas