Downland School is a maintained community special school for students aged between 11 and 16 who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or a Statement of Special Educational Need (SSEN). In most cases the primary identified need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and behavioural difficulties, although the majority of students have additional special educational needs such as autistic spectrum condition, AD(H)D, speech, language and communication difficulties, opposition defiance and attachment disorders.

We offer 69 day placements for students referred from the local authority. Primarily our students come from Wiltshire, however, we have also educated young people from BANES, Somerset and Hampshire.

The school is situated on the southern edge of Devizes in beautiful countryside and opened in 1971. We are a happy, friendly and inclusive school. We are pleased to accommodate all students and we are proud of the achievements and progress that all our learners make. The staff team work as a cohesive multidisciplinary unit to overcome barriers to learning and to provide stability, consistency and the highest quality of education and care guidance to support students to make accelerated learning gains.

We promote the highest standards of educational achievement at all levels and provide a broad and balanced education experience, differentiated according to need. The success of the school is undoubtedly linked to the dedication of staff, engagement of parents/carers, our strong multiagency partnership work and our ability to motivate our learners to help them re-define their attitudes and approaches to learning.

We seek to ensure that, by the time our students leave us they emerge as self-confident individuals able to manage their own learning, equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take the next steps in their lives.

Our mission statement is Aspire, Achieve and Thrive.

Downland School is a Wiltshire LA Community Day Special School for secondary aged students who have a range of additional needs including behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

The ethos of the school is centred around the needs of the individual, the overall aim being to provide each student with the highest standards of teaching, learning and care. Within our educational community much emphasis is placed upon warmth, security, support, consistency, honesty, respect, guidance and encouragement. It is our intention that the students in our school will benefit from the positive relationships we can offer through the role models they work with.

The main priorities of our staff are to consistently meet the educational, social, emotional and physical needs of each student. We aim to prepare and equip these young people with the appropriate educational, social and practical skills that are essential for success within today’s ever-changing society.

At Downland, students learn a broad range of GCSE subjects, designed to challenge and develop their skill sets. In addition,  we provide an extensive and varied activity programme after school in the Spring and Summer terms, to enhance the learning of students and offer additional extra-curricular experiences. Our range of active outdoor pursuits and sports, provide our students with the chance to experience new challenges and also gives the opportunity for enhancing the social skills of discipline and team work.

If you're searching for your next post, why not contact us now? You'll be working at a great school and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed individuals - send us your CV now via our School Talent Pool and say what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our School Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when a future vacancy occurs.