Dorothy Goodman School is an outstanding all age (3 to 19 years) special school serving the Leicester, Leicestershire & warwickshire area with 280 pupils on roll. Our pupils have a wide variety of special educational needs and disabilities including pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities, severe learning difficulties, moderate difficulties and those with Autism. Some pupils also have social, emotional and mental health difficulties associated with their learning difficulties.

In recognition of the diversity of our pupils our curriculum is offered across different sites. Two main sites – the secondary school for pupils aged 11-19 years and the primary school for pupils aged between 3 – 11 years. In addition there are four inclusive satellite bases located on the sites of local mainstream schools: Richmond Primary School (KS 1/2), Redmoor Academy (KS 3), Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre (KS 4/5) and Cleveland House which is also located at Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre and caters for secondary aged pupils with autistic spectrum conditions.  

The Dorothy Goodman School aims to provide a safe, stimulating and caring educational environment, in which all children are able to learn and develop their social, creative and academic skills.

The work is made relevant and interesting through careful planning and and a programme of thematic work, which links the subjects together and makes them meaningful to our pupils. A wide range of resources support the curriculum including a central library, comprehensive audio-visual material, computer software, CD Roms and Internet access. All classes, with the exception of the 16-19 year olds use the Literacy & Numeracy frameworks, although the emphasis remains very strongly on individualised programmes of work.

Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to have an understanding of themselves and the world about them, enabling them to become self-confident young people and to develop skills in a setting which is both structured and caring.

Our vision and aims are at the core of everything we do. 

They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens. At our school, individual differences are recognised and respected but are never seen as a barrier to achievement. By adapting the curriculum and teaching methods we ensure that our pupils have every opportunity to succeed both academically and socially.

Staff at our school are committed to teaching children and young people with a wide range of learning needs including those with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning difficulties, Moderate Difficulties and those with Autism (including those who may be functioning at high levels academically). High expectations of what all our pupils can achieve, through good or better teaching of a well structured curriculum, are essential.

We have a great deal of specialist expertise and experience at our school. Staff work in multi-skilled teams where teachers are responsible for managing the work of support staff in their class and therefore good team work is essential

Dorothy Goodman is a member of the Open Thinking Partnership. This is a Multi Academy Trust which was established from 1 August 2020 to ensure the best possible provision is in place for pupils with a diverse range of needs within the Leicestershire and wider area.

To find out more about Open Thinking Partnership please click here