Principal's Welcome

Message from the Principal

I am proud and privileged to lead such a unique and innovative school which is destination-focused. This is a school where students’ special interests, social and communication skills, abilities, academic and life skills are mapped and further developed so destinations can be identified and targeted for each individual.

We deliver a broad, ambitious and balanced curriculum that enables all our 11-19 students to make excellent progress and gain nationally accredited qualifications in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. In addition to academic studies, students access a variety of life skills in social and enrichment activities. These activities focus on the personal development of our students with a focus upon developing communication skills, social relationship skills, independence, employability, and personal emotional wellbeing skills. To enable our students to reach their potential and their next chosen destination, we are versatile in our delivery methods so much so, that every student in school has something personalised on their timetable. As a parent I know how important it is to know that your child is happy in school and that they can develop meaningful friendships and relationships. This is a life skill that is taught and developed in all aspect of school life, but is a particular focus in the Wellbeing and Speech and Language curriculum/sessions. We also take great joy in celebrating those “Wow” moments for our students when the impossible becomes the possible!

A key part of curriculum delivery in ‘building aspirations’ and employability awareness. We believe that the future is limitless and optimism is key to our approach. We do this by exposing our students to a number of different employment sectors and experiences throughout their curriculum.

We also believe every day is a new opportunity and the chance to write a different story and this is fundamental to our compassionate approach to working with our students.

We respect that all our students, parents and staff are unique and all contributions are valued. Student success is at it’s highest when the partnership between these key stakeholders is effective.
The staff body, senior leaders and trustees are devoted to making the difference for our students so they can reach their next steps and a thrive in society. We are neuro-diverse team with a range of disabilities, diversities, strengths and weaknesses, we believe through these role models’ students can create their own pathway to success.

Best wishes

Emma Sullivan

Positive feedback received from students, parents and external professionals about Lighthouse school:

Student feedback:

‘Lighthouse as a school is a great place to support those who wish to take their next steps. The staff are extremely friendly and supportive. Here I have been able to develop and grow as a person and find my next steps. Most importantly here I have been able to find a group of people who I can come and speak to when in need, spared from the difficulties found within a mainstream secondary school.’

‘I feel included by the teachers in lessons.’

‘Upon joining this school, I’ve gained many friends for life and gained myself the motivation to be more ambitious in life and frankly braver in my future endeavours. I simply thank those who worked closest to me at my time there’.

‘Everyone gets along with each other’.

‘It’s a fair learning environment – lessons that actually help us in the future’.

Parent feedback:

”I’m really pleased with the way my child has settled in at Lighthouse, which is testament to the staff there.’

‘Lighthouse has changed our lives as a family.’

‘I’m so very proud of my child and how Lighthouse School helped him reach these achievements.’

‘Our child has grown in confidence since starting at Lighthouse and loves coming to school. The school not only supports our child but us as a family.’.

‘We feel like we have finally found a school that understands our child and their needs. The difference in our child since starting in September is unbelievable. Our child’s confidence and enjoyment for school have greatly improved, and it is all thanks to Lighthouse and its staff. We are really excited to see what our child can achieve in the next school year’.

‘Lighthouse is an amazing school. The school have done wonders with my child. Definitely a school to be recommended’.

‘This is our child’s first term and I so pleased with the support they are receiving from staff and the communication with us from staff which is making a huge difference to us all. Staff always do what they say they are going to, and this is enabling our child to build trust with staff and feel listened to Thank you!’*

‘Finding a school where our child is happy is incredible for us. It is amazing to see our child learning at speed and getting the help they need. We are so happy with Lighthouse’.

‘All staff have been amazing with supporting my child and myself whilst my child has attended Lighthouse. My child is now ready for their next steps thanks to Lighthouse’.

Professional feedback:

‘I have observed some really positive input from Lighthouse school in supporting a student back to school following the pandemic. A student presented several challenges in addition to his anxiety and ritualised behaviour. I observed an exceptional caring attitude towards this student that demonstrated a real desire to improve things and create opportunities for him. Through discussion, I was able to see that staff had the skills to not only work with other agencies and recognise and develop advice and recommendations given to them but to also generate outside of the box ideas and learn and develop through experience and reflection. From my perspective this had made a very positive difference and has influenced his levels of anxiety, ritualised behaviour and increased his enjoyment and engagement with school.’