Class Teacher

Columbus School and College was formerly two separate special needs schools in Chelmsford –Woodlands School in Patching Hall Lane and The Hayward School in Maltese Road.

Woodlands School served children with profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex learning difficulties aged 3–19 years. The Hayward School served children with moderate learning difficulties and autism aged 4–16.

The two schools federated in 2005 to form Chelmsford New Model Special School with a single governing body. There were two campuses – Woodlands Campus and Hayward Campus.

On the 1st September 2009 the two schools formally amalgamated to form Columbus School and College. The School Campus in Oliver Way currently has pupils aged from Nursery to Year 6 and the College Campus in Partridge Avenuecurrently has students from Years 7 to 14. There is an FE Department on College Campus which has students from Year 12 to Year 14.

Graded as 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 2014 and 2017, Columbus is a leading all age special school for children and young people with severe and profound learning difficulties. The school became an academy in May 2012 and is part of Academies Enterprise Trust. Columbus delivers an outstanding education in its new, purpose-built environment.

Our Curriculum

Columbus School and College provides a broad and ambitious curriculum that is profoundly focused on preparing learners for the future. We have high expectations of learners’ progress across the key areas of communication and interaction; cognition and learning; sensory, physical health and development; social, emotional and mental health; and self help and independence. Each learner has a personalised curriculum closely related to their education, health and care plan (EHCP). The curriculum is designed through collaboration with parents and carers and, as necessary, other professionals and specialists.

Some learners access the full range of National Curriculum subjects, and build subject specific knowledge and skills. Learners with more complex needs engage in a curriculum emphasising communication and physical development. All learners access a curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do, and is adapted to meet their different needs and starting points.

We are determined that children get off to a flying start in the Early Years. As learners progress to key stage 4 and 5, independence, community based learning and employment readiness become even more prominent in their learning. Learners need to remember/apply knowledge to perform a skill. Our key skills curriculum equips children and young people with the skills they need most. For example, communication, applying mathematics and social skills.

Our specialist learning environments, motor therapy suites and sensory rooms support teaching and learning. The work done in these spaces is heavily supported by therapists and their assistants, with much of what is designed and delivered being transferred into the classroom throughout the week.

We believe learners should gain the knowledge and skills they need to be as independent as possible. To this end, staff avoid learners becoming unnecessarily dependent on them. Community-based learning is a weekly feature of learners’ timetables. Targeted and carefully planned community-based learning may include travel training or visits to the local shops. Learning in the community also enables learners to simultaneously repeat and extend what they have learned in school. Columbus offers education journeys both abroad and within the UK. A wide, rich set of experiences contributes to learners’ personal development.

Reading is prioritised. In Early Years, many children begin learning letter sounds through our systematic synthetic phonics scheme. Learners take home books that contain the letter sounds they have learned, but also develop a love of reading through hearing stories. Learners make strong progress with reading because their needs are quickly identified and staff are well trained to help them. Comprehension and fluency become the focus when pupils have learned the sounds that letters make. Reading remains a focus for older learners because it is key to enabling independence. 

WHY JOIN OUR ACADEMY?

Staff Benefits

Development:

We are committed to developing all staff at all levels through high quality development opportunities, resources, and experiences  that will support you on your professional learning journey with AET.

Lifestyle:

We champion agile/flexible working across the Trust to help our people achieve an optimal work/life balance.

Money:

All staff have access to our pension schemes (Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme).  Everyone has free access to financial advice & support and can access a wide range of retail discounts through our AET Benefits scheme. We also offer Technology Loans to help with any big digital purchases.

Wellbeing:

We recognise that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical and have set up employee assistance programmes which offer free and confidential counselling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our employees can access our health cash place scheme from BHSF.

OUR TRUST

We are proud to be part of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET).

AET is a national family of 57 schools committed to delivering an excellent education that launches all the children in our care into a remarkable life. It is our deeply held belief that every child has something remarkable to offer and we see it as our duty to help each and every child find this within themselves.

Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At AET, we want all of our employees to feel included bringing their passion, creativity and individuality to work. We value all cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and we truly believe that diversity drives innovation.

AET is also an approved Apprenticeship Training Provider (through the ESFA) which allows us to deliver a wide range of apprenticeship programmes across the Trust and our school network. To find out more about what we offer click here.

We also offer teacher training programmes across our network. For more information please click here.

To find out more about AET please click here.