Access Facilities

The Abbey School is a school for students aged 11 to 16years with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD).

Physical Access

The school environment is adapted to the needs of students as required:

• Ramps around the school including school field
• Disabled parking bays
• Disabled toilets and changing facilities, including 3x tracking system & hoists
• Showering and intimate care area
• Library shelves at wheelchair-accessible height
• Height adjustable workstations in practical subjects such as Food / DT / Art.
• Benches and other outside furniture which is accessible to children with disabilities.
• Electronic doors at building entrances
• Individual changing areas for PE
• Height adjustable desks in some classrooms

sensory access

Our school uses a range of communication methods to ensure information is accessible. This includes:

• Large print resources
• Seating plans to consider VI/HI/sensory needs
• Technology including Chromebooks/laptops (and their accessibility features inc. screen reader, dictation & screen magnifier), visualisers and hearing loops.
• Access to readers, scribes and word processors as identified by need.
• A Cubbie - a smart multi-sensory management pod to help students regulate their sensory experiences.

Learning Access

Our school offers a differentiated curriculum for all students. We use resources tailored to the needs of students who require support to access the curriculum, for example: social stories, schedules, prompts, visuals (Widgit).  

The school supports students with their physical, sensory and communication needs to enable them to access the curriculum, e.g. reading pens, magnifiers, laptops, enlarged keyboards, specialist seating, sensory breaks/areas, emotional support.

Evacuation

In addition to the school's main Emergency Evacuation Point there is a secondary EEP for those with very limited mobility.

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is prepared for all students with significant mobility needs.

Parking

Access is level and additionally there are 2 designated parking bays for Disabled Persons, one adjacent to the bicycle rack and one opposite the main entrance to the school reception.