Our Vision for Personal Development

At Marjory Kinnon school we are very proud of the success of our Personal Development programme, which was rated as Outstanding in our 2022 Ofsted inspection.

We know that parents are really looking for their children to develop confidence and independence and to feel included in the community. This is the drive behind our vision as a school: to ensure every pupil will learn the skills and develop the confidence needed to become a valued, integrated and independent member of their community.

We believe autism brings a unique set of skills that should be developed and celebrated to foster inclusion and self-worth.

Life Skills & Preparing for Adulthood

• We have a curriculum that builds life skills from Primary to Secondary.  This includes a big focus on social communication.
• The life skills curriculum has many facets, all designed to build skills and confidence in areas such as food technology, budgeting, hygiene and horticulture.
• Our Life Skills Flat supports teaching independence skills in a home-like environment.
• As the children move into secondary school, the world of work becomes a focus.  We have developed and collaborated with community partners in award-winning work experience opportunities to give pupils vital experience of work-based skills. 

Communication & Relationships

• We have a wide variety of interventions and therapies supported by six Thrive Practitioners, a play therapist, and a Nurture group.
• The Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist run communication stations at break and lunchtime and a communication café on Fridays.
• We have active music and gardening interventions that support communication and relationships.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

• In year 6, pupils have an opportunity to go on a residential trip to the New Forest.
• In year 10, pupils go on a camping trip as part of the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.
• We plan trips in all year groups that provide cultural capital opportunities, like our Year 10 trip to the local art gallery.
• Our Outdoor Play and Learning (OPaL) programme ensures breaks and lunchtimes are opportunities to develop personal skills and social communication.
• We offer after-school clubs like multi-sports, netball, MKS Brownies, science and Lego to build confidence and skills.

Creativity, Performance, and Sport

• We have a thriving music department that promotes confidence and self-esteem with performances throughout the year, including our own Marjory Kinnon's Got Talent.  The primary and secondary choirs and the KS4 rock band perform in front of peers, parents and in the community.
• Our PE department promotes inclusion in community sporting events, earning the Gold School Games Award.
• Our specialist art facilities, including an on-site kiln, encourage creativity, self-expression and confidence through a range of practical, hands-on experiences. Students' artwork has been displayed at local galleries.   

Wellbeing and Belonging

• The Thrive Approach and SCERTS framework for learning puts the pupils' well-being and development at the heart of all we do.
• We have a bespoke emotional regulation character, ZORB, that helps support pupils' understanding of their emotional world.
• Rumi, our therapy dog, works with our pastoral lead to foster connection and emotional regulation for our most vulnerable pupils.
• Our approach to Pupil Voice allows students to express their views and strengthen their connection to the school community.