Education and Training Awards 2020

Best Independent Specialist Education & Care Institution - North West England People learn at every stage of their lives, and many different people learn in vastly different ways to one another. Fairfield House School accommodates everyone, including residential and non-residential students. Providing a bespoke curriculum for each student, the school also works tirelessly to cater specifically to every unique need in a way which incorporates functional and life skills, as well as communication and positive behaviour strategies. Since its foundation, the school has stuck to its original mission of making education accessible for every single student that it comes into contact with. Though it has had to innovate along the way, it has not stopped Fairfield House School from becoming one of the finest educational facilities in the North West of England. Following the philosophy that if a child cannot learn the way the staff teach, then the staff much teach the way they learn, Fairfield House School is a perfect example of selfless service to students who require different methods of education. The vast majority of students at Fairfield House School cannot cope in a traditional classroom setting, and often struggle with theoretical concepts of learning, instead needing a visual or practical frame of reference. Staff at the school use positive reinforcement techniques to alter negative perceptions of school and learning, and also use the individual’s preferred method of communication to allow them to demonstrate their own preferences and opinions with confidence. What works one day, may not work the next. In this way, innovation and flexibility is key. At its heart, Fairfield House School is a wholly person-centred organisation, and the needs of each individual student is absolutely paramount. It works with students who have had long periods of absence from education, sometimes coupled with negative educational experiences. Armed with its own innovative teaching techniques and compassionate flexibility, the school and its staff work hard to instil a newfound love of learning in every student. At present, the SEN sector faces numerous challenges, including funding and the practicalities of promoting inclusion. SEN students are often the subject of low expectations, when the opposite is true. Every student has skills, qualities, and abilities that, when showcased appropriately, can integrate them seamlessly into society with the credit they deserve. Having flexibility of thought and the willingness to attempt new strategies are just two of the ways in which Fairfield House School attempts to stay ahead of emerging developments within the fast-paced world of education. Educators can learn just as much from students as the latter learn from the former, and being open to listening to students can be far more conducive to an excellent learning atmosphere than not being open. Each staff member helps to further the culture of Fairfield House School being a person-centred organisation, where staff are highly trained and the opinion of every member of the organisation is heard and acted upon. Teamwork is essential for providing the best possible service to students, and the staff at Fairfield House School are the perfect team. Teaching can truly change a life, and it works both ways. The students at Fairfield House School can benefit from teachers that are constantly going above and beyond in their desire to ensure that every student has the education they deserve, whilst the students no doubt enrich the staff lives in all manner of ways. The school is nothing short of exceptional, providing education to every student and instilling in them the skills and knowledge needed to make the world a brighter and better place every single day. Company: Fairfield House School Contact: Leanne Doherty Website: www.fairfieldresidential.co.uk Education should be available to everybody, regardless of age, race, gender, or learning capability. Fairfield House School is an independent special school for pupils aged between eight and twenty five, who have ASD and other complex needs. Alongside the education department, the school provides children’s and adult’s residential and outreach services including respite and supported living. To find out more about the fantastic and selfless work that this school does, we take a closer look. Jun20554 Education & Training Awards 2020