Our School

 

Breakspeare School is a local authority, community day school catering for pupils aged 3-19 who have severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Some students have additional needs such as visual impairment, hearing or sensory impairment or a physical disability. A minority have complex medical needs, including a few life threatening conditions requiring a minimum of full time one-to-one staff to meet their needs. A growing population of pupils are on the autistic spectrum disorder. All students have either a statement or an education, health and care plan that identifies their special needs.  

Breakspeare is located in the historic village of Abbots Langley in a semi-rural area of South West Hertfordshire. The school is maintained by Hertfordshire LA and has provision for 67 students; currently the school caters for 75 students. It has a wide catchment area centred around North Watford and the surrounding areas. The economic and cultural mix of this area is reflected in the population of the students.

The school is organised into three departments; Early Years (ages 3-7 / EYFS – KS1), Middle School (ages 7-14 / KS2-KS3) and the Upper School Enterprise (ages 14-19 / KS4 – 16 +). The number of students in each year group varies, with no students in Year 12 and an increasing number of students in the EYFS department. Currently the majority of pupils are boys. 70% of our students have ASD and 30% have profound learning and complex medical needs.

Breakspeare School is fortunate as the grounds are large and set out similar to a park environment, this provides a variety of different play areas for the students. The school building itself is in need of modernization if it is to reach the current standards of 21st century SEN provision. We work closely with the local community and several organizations are letting the school facilities the most popular one being the lottery funded PE hall.

 
The school holds the following awards;

  • Autism Accreditation (2016) in recognition of meeting high quality autism provision;
  • International School Award (2010-2013, 2013-2016, 2016-2019) from the British Council in recognition of the school's partnerships with school's across the world;
  • PE Quality Mark with Distinction (2015);
  • Bronze Award from Green Apple Organisation for ‘Raised Bed Project’ presented at Houses of Parliament (2015);
  • Outstanding Ofsted inspections 2003, 2007 and 2013;
  • EYFS Quality Mark (2013) in recognition of high quality EYFS provision;
  • ECO School, Silver Award;
  • Managing Volunteers Award;
  • CPD quality mark;
  • CEG Mark (Care, Education and Guidance).
     

The school is working towards;

  • Communication School  Award;
  • ECO school Green Flag;
  • Forrest School status via Abbots Parish Eco Schools;
  • Move- school.
     

Important Partnerships

  • Herts SEN schools and local mainstream schools
  • GLP; Global Learning Platform
  • Abbots in Transition and APES
  • International Partnerships
  • Sports and Arts Partnerships