Tor View School

TRAUMA AND MENTAL HEALTH INFORMED SCHOOL AWARD

We are an independent school providing specialist education and care services to young people between the ages of 7 to 18 years with identified special educational needs (SEN), who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP). This includes an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), communication and interaction needs, speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), and attachment related conditions.

Our young people are at the heart of all we do at Tor View School. Our caring and dedicated staff get to know each student and develop the relationships that make young people feel secure, valued and ready to learn. Our individually tailored learning and person-centred support transforms young lives: students re-engage with learning and make the academic progress for positive transitions to further learning and employment. They build the resilience, emotional and social skills they need for lifelong learning and growth. Every child is encouraged to be aspirational about their future and supported to reach their true potential.

We pride ourselves on the positive relationships we build with our students and their families, and the welcoming, caring and supportive environment young people learn in.

Students at Tor View School are supported by a motivated and experienced staff team providing the highest standards of teaching and care. We share a passionate commitment to supporting young people to overcome their barriers and achieve everything they are capable of achieving.

Tor View School is situated in the picturesque Devon countryside, with views across Dartmoor National Park. Our peaceful and calming setting has extensive grounds, which offer a range of opportunities to learn outdoors. We are located just outside of the beautiful market town of Tavistock, with transport links to surrounding cities, Plymouth and Exeter.

Our school has a strong safeguarding culture which means that the safety and welfare of our students is prioritised in all we do. We are well-equipped to protect the vulnerable young people in our care.

Overall Assessment:

"Tor View School is a caring compassionate school that supports children with complex needs. All the adults have the interests of the children at the heart of their actions and as a result children thrive here. The starting point of the child’s journey is what they can do not what they do. Every child is unique and has a bespoke and targeted programme of curriculum and therapy. Parents are overwhelmingly happy that their child attends the school because their children are cared for and supported to live life well. PACE is at the heart of the practice, and this was evident across the school and in all interactions. Adults are well supported by leaders and their peers. Staff wellbeing is understood to be vital if adults are to support children and young people effectively. As a result, staff are happy and talked openly about the support they have.

Adults celebrate the diversity of the children they are working with and embrace the way in which those differences enhance the school community. They delight in the success of the children and are visibly moved when children achieve new steps, no matter how small. There is no glass ceiling here, adults know that some things will be difficult for children and things we take for granted are not always possible. But they never stop trying and look for creative solutions to help children to engage in learning and the school community.

One parent summed up the school as a school that has taken the time to get to know my child, to see who we see and have enabled him to engage with adults he trusts. In that parents words the school have nailed it!" - TISUK Assessor