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Dean Close St John’s

What says..

Much excitement on the day of our visit was caused by the inaugural firing up of the new outdoor pizza oven. Constructed by the pupils out of clay, sand and straw, with glass bottles for insulation and an intricate lion design, they beam with pride at their achievement, which will surely become a school institution. As another class rush down for a tasting, a staff member shouts ‘guys, it’s terrible’ while stuffing his mouth with pizza. No-one believes him…

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What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since September 2024, Tom Rainer, who started his career as a professional musician, playing the trumpet in numerous concert venues and West End shows. Was director of music in two preps before becoming assistant head at Aldro Preparatory School near Godalming and subsequently at Pilgrims' School in Winchester, where he was deputy head pastoral and head of boarding before coming here. He has completed several courses with the BSA (Boarding Schools Association), Harvard Business School and TES. He has a master’s in educational leadership and management and is currently completing a second master’s.

Entrance

Half of pupils hail from one of the Little Trees nurseries, also part of the Dean Close Foundation, the majority from the on-site Tutshill branch. Kindergarten is offered in pre-prep, offering pre-schoolers the more grown-up structure of school. Otherwise entrance follows taster...

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Special Education Needs

The SEN department is staffed by two full-time specialist teachers who offer one-to-one lessons and small group sessions to children with dyslexia. A number of key workers and classroom assistants give support to children needing help in mainstream classes. Conditions such as Hearing impairment, Visual impairment, physical difficulties and some mental health needs are supported, depending on severity.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder
Y
HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Y
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing
Y
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes
Y
PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma
Y
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Y
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP)
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Y
VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment

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