What Makes our School Distinctive
Curriculum Breadth
The school offers a heavily adapted curriculum, designed to support different groups of learner’s successes. Students experience learning in a group setting that target keys areas of their academic and social development. We offer a range of accreditations depending upon the student pathway and future aspirations. Students complete appropriate qualifications for their ability and need in English, Maths and Science as well as a range of other subjects.
The school is rapidly developing its vocational and Learning 4 Life courses and also has positive links with a range of external providers. Work related learning is on the timetable for all students and this is the vehicle we use to enable them to experience the practical application of their learning and to gain the skills necessary to achieve independence. Students within our Sixth Form, complete modules towards their Princes Trust qualifications and also participate in work placements, greatly assisting them to achieve employment after leaving us. Students also take part in lessons that develop their speech and language abilities, both practically and socially, as well as targeted lessons focusing on their individual outcomes of their EHCPs, as they move through the school.
Extra-Curricular Activity
As well as external providers, Stony Dean is fortunate to have dedicated staff who volunteer their time to organise extra-curricular clubs and activities. This year we have clubs at lunchtime and after school offering activities such as football, cooking, table tennis, art, basketball, music, boxing and ICT to name but a few. We also run homework clubs at lunchtime to support students who may struggle to complete homework tasks at home.
Trips are a strength of Stony Dean. Students have the privilege of going out on trips regularly as part of their studies, as well as to encourage and support their social development. Trips include visits to Hazard Alley, the Swan Theatre, Whipsnade Zoo and more local visits to the surrounding towns and villages to get the students used to buying a drink in a coffee shop or purchasing an item from a shop. Students in Years’ 11 and above also have the option to attend the annual residential trip, most recently to North Yorkshire and Wales, further developing their independence and life skills.
Community
The school has excellent links with the local community; both in Amersham itself, and the surrounding area. The school takes part in many local community events such as performing arts at Energize – Wycombe Swan Theatre and links with Amersham Town Council. As a result of our involvement in such events, we are proud to receive numerous awards over the years, including most recently, The Amersham Town Council Community Support and Involvement Award. We also organise a number of events on the school site for the local community and parents. Highlights have included the Christmas and Summer Fayres, Sports Days, Art Shows and Coffee Mornings.
All schools are different and we believe that what is unique about Stony Dean is not just what we have shown you already, but also how our staff, students, parents and the community feel about our school:
