Our vision is to create a community where education is highly valued, diversity is embraced, and young people are encouraged to take control of their learning, with the support of a highly skilled and nurturing team around them.
- We provide education for young people aged 11-18 years who have autism and associated conditions.
- We provide a nurturing environment where young people can access and develop academic, independence and life skills needed to be the best they can be.
- We believe that with the right support in place, all young person can succeed.
The Tower School is set in the town of Epping with easy access to the acres of woodland in Epping Forest.
On-site facilities include dedicated specialist classrooms, a school hall/canteen, therapy rooms and a small multi-purpose outside area.
Our aim for the young people coming to The Tower School is quite simple; we want every young person to progress both academically and socially. We want them to develop an understanding of themselves and to experience individual success. By doing this, we can equip every young person with the skills and knowledge they need to reach their full potential, prepare for life after The Tower School and contribute meaningfully to society.
At The Tower School, we recognise that education for our pupils needs to provide a great deal more than an academic curriculum. Therefore, we provide a holistic curriculum enhanced with offsite activities and outdoor learning curriculum, ensuring every pupil has access to experiences beyond the classroom.
At The Tower School we aim to ensure that our pupils:
- Are supported to access learning opportunities in a meaningful way that takes account of their learning style and their preferred interest, whilst also helping them to prepare for their next stage of learning
- Everything we do is underpinned by our Ask, Accept, Develop strategy, in which we ask pupils and their families how they best like to learn, we accept and cherish pupils individual differences, and we develop our pupils skills and knowledge in a way that is meaningful to them
- Feel confident, happy and secure in themselves, their relationships and their learning
- Have the right to feel safe and valued
- Develop and maximise their ability to communicate and interact socially
- Develop their ability to think flexibly, effectively and independently
- Successfully use strategies to help manage barriers and challenges presented by their Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Reach their potential academically and work towards pathways and accreditation appropriate to them
- Have goals and aspirations for their life beyond school
- Are equipped and confident to take their place in society; able to be proactive and productive members of society, accessing opportunities to continue learning or working
To do this we ensure that:
- Pupils placed at The Tower School are all equally valued, respected and nurtured
- Staff have access to on-going training, including regular safeguarding training
- Pupil’s needs are rigorously assessed, understood and supported
- Staff at The Tower School welcome collaboration in staff teams, with parents and outside agencies and actively seek ways to promote the best outcomes for our pupils and their families
- The Tower School offers a school environment to meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals
- The Tower School offers a holistic, broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that meets the needs of its pupils
- The Tower School bases its practice upon current research, best practice and ensuring staff have on-going professional development opportunities
- We actively promote understanding of autism in the wider community