Core Offer

Maple Haven is a small, independent school dedicated to supporting children with communication and sensory needs. Our child-centered curriculum is carefully designed to accommodate individual learning styles within a total communication environment, including British Sign Language (BSL) and Sign Supported English. This approach ensures that every pupil is given the opportunity to maximise their learning and reach their full potential.

Research and experience show that many children with special educational needs and disabilities benefit from a calm, low-stimulation environment, small group sizes, and a high adult-to-pupil ratio. At Maple Haven, we believe that a small-scale setting enables us to meet each child’s educational, social, and emotional needs more effectively.

We recognise that this type of environment may not be suitable for every pupil with SEND; however, for those who require a highly personalised curriculum and a learning environment with minimal external or anxiety-inducing distractions, Maple Haven provides the conditions in which pupils can thrive. Early evidence demonstrates positive outcomes for pupils within this setting.

The following elements are embedded across all curriculum pathways at Maple School:

Assessment Framework (BAD)
A consistent assessment framework, known as BAD, is used to evaluate pupils’ understanding and progress across each pathway:

• B – Basic: Pupils demonstrate a foundational understanding of concepts with appropriate support and scaffolding.

• A – Advancing: Pupils show developing understanding with reduced support, growing independence, and emerging problem-solving skills.

• D – Deep: Pupils demonstrate a secure and deep understanding of concepts and can apply their learning to solve complex problems in a variety of contexts.

Continuous Provision
Curriculum content is organised to provide ongoing opportunities for pupils to learn. Teachers plan for repetition and regular revisiting of key concepts, enabling pupils to consolidate knowledge and deepen understanding over time.

Cultural Experiences
Cultural experiences are intentionally integrated throughout the curriculum to enrich language development and broaden pupils’ understanding of the wider world. These opportunities help pupils make meaningful connections and develop social, emotional, and cultural awareness. 

Enrichment Activities

Click on the icon to view the wonderful enrichment activities that are available to the pupils at Maple Haven.

 (Click on the corresponding pathway below for more details – currently under construction)

• Pathway 1 (P1–P4): Based on the Engagement Model, supporting early exploration, attention, and engagement.

• Pathway 2 (P4–P8): Uses the Stepping Stones framework, informed by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, with additional sensory and communication-focused provision to meet individual needs.

• Pathway 3 
• Pathway 4
• Pathway 5
• Pathway 6

At Maple Haven School, we recognise that strong partnerships with parents and carer's are essential to supporting pupils’ learning, development, and wellbeing. We are committed to keeping families informed, involved, and engaged in their child’s education.

We achieve this through a range of strategies and initiatives, including:

• Evidence Me (Parent Share): A platform for parents to view and contribute to their child’s learning and progress.

• Communicating with Parents/Carers Policy: Ensures that all communication with families is clear, consistent, and effective.

• Reports to Parents: Interim and end-of-year reports provide detailed information about pupils’ progress and next steps.

• Parents’ Open Afternoons: Opportunities for parents to visit the school, see learning in action, and meet teaching staff.

• Annual Review of EHCPs: Collaborative reviews of Individual Education Plans to ensure personalised targets meet each pupil’s needs.

• Whole School Celebrations: Events that showcase pupils’ achievements and foster a sense of community.

• School Texting Service & E-Mail Service: Regular updates, reminders, and important information sent directly to parents.

• School Website & Newsletter: Accessible information about school news, events, and curriculum updates.

These strategies ensure that parents and carers are active partners in their child’s education, contributing to decision-making, celebrating achievements, and supporting learning at home.

At Maple Haven School, our staff are highly skilled, dedicated, and committed to providing outstanding support for all pupils. We recognise that the quality of teaching and care is central to ensuring that every child can reach their full potential, and we invest heavily in ongoing professional development for all staff.

All staff receive comprehensive training in medical procedures and health-related needs, ensuring that pupils with specific medical requirements are fully supported in a safe and confident manner. In addition, staff are trained in supporting pupils with a wide range of neurodiverse conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other communicative or sensory needs. This ensures that every pupil receives a personalised approach to learning and care that reflects their unique profile.

Training at Maple Haven is both whole-school and cohort-specific. Staff are given targeted, specialised training to meet the needs of specific pupils within their classes, including bespoke communication strategies, behavioural support, and sensory integration techniques. This includes:

• Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) support

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems including PECS and BSL

• Sensory processing and integration strategies

• Positive Behaviour Support and managing challenging behaviours

• Safeguarding and child protection

• First aid and medical intervention training, including epilepsy, diabetes, and complex health conditions

• Therapeutic approaches, including Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism Buckets, Music Therapy, Cued Articulation, and other evidence-based interventions

Staff are encouraged to engage in continuous professional development, attending external courses, workshops, and conferences to stay up-to-date with best practice in special educational needs and disabilities. They also participate in in-house training, sharing expertise across the school to ensure a consistent, high-quality approach.

This combination of broad expertise, targeted cohort training, and ongoing professional development ensures that staff at Maple Haven are exceptionally well-equipped to support the educational, social, emotional, and medical needs of every pupil. Our team’s skills and knowledge directly contribute to the school’s ability to deliver personalised, inclusive, and high-quality learning experiences.