Fairfield Farm College A GSG School
- Fairfield Farm College
43 High Street
Dilton Marsh
Westbury
Wiltshire
BA13 4DL - Head: Graeme Athey
- T 01373 823028
- E [email protected]
- W www.ffc.ac.uk/
- A state special school for boys and girls aged from 16 to 25 with moderate and severe learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, and other complex needs.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Wiltshire
- Pupils: 114
- Religion: Does not apply
- Fees: By Assessment
- Open days: Check online for open days
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
The flexibility of the courses and residential packages means that students who have been refused full residential funding by the LA can access one-night or part-time residential options. This means they can still work on their independent living skills and one parent told us, ‘He loves these opportunities to be away from home and with his peers.’ The student receptionists set the tone; they are polite, smiling and anxious to please – and sensitively supported by discreet staff who quietly help out when they need to. One parent told us, ‘My daughter is very proud of being on reception…
What the school says...
As a Senior Leader, I am visible, accountable, and experienced. I bring to this role significant experience, expertise, and knowledge. My almost twenty years educational experience acts as a stable base from which to draw.
I have worked in a variety of roles across the public and private sectors, including charities at different levels. I was the Local Deaf Children’s Society manager in London and am also fluent in British Sign Language. Outside of education, but equally relevant, is my work with a local Bath charity. I was a member of the committee for the charity Bath Area Play Project for nearly 10 years, and latterly held the post of Chair. This greatly enhanced my understanding of charity business, compliance and also the Commission.
As a senior leader, I have led a variety of curriculum areas including Deputy Director of Curriculum for a large multi-site FE college; Assistant Principal leading the development of a newbuild Post 16 centre and Enterprise Centre for Fosse Way Trust and more latterly the roles of Director of Education and Deputy Principal for Fairfield Farm Trust.
In all roles, I have been central to leading on compliance for both Ofsted Inspection and supporting colleagues on CQC Inspection. I have experience of acting as Quality Nominee in both ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ provision and understanding the wider landscape regarding inspection.
I am an avid lifelong learner and having completed my Doctorate in Education in 2017, I am currently undertaking a course in Jungian Analysis and Psychotherapy. ...Read more
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Sports
Unusual sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Principal
Since September 2021, Vicky Dunnicliffe.
Entrance
Parents apply directly to Fairfield but work with their local authority throughout the application process. Students usually join between the ages of 16 and 19 years old, but can join when older providing the course is completed by their 25th birthday. Fairfield has set up link courses with local special schools to help with transition and settling in. This involves weekly visits throughout the year, for a day, to work alongside college students and experience some of the curriculum on offer. The college tracks their process in a link book (‘a godsend for me,’ said one parent) and has a dedicated transitions and review co-ordinator to support families. As well as this students from local special schools are invited to the weekly youth club nights, so students and families can...
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Special Education Needs
Fairfield Farm College is a specialist college for young people aged 16-25 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. It is a registered charity, with flexible residential, day and weekend courses that meet the 'preparing for adulthood' outcomes. We are committed to promoting equality, eliminating discrimination, and encouraging diversity.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | Y |
| Dysgraphia | Y |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | Y |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | Y |
| Has SEN unit or class | Y |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | Y |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | Y |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | Y |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | Y |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | Y |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| PD - Physical Disability | Y |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | Y |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | Y |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | Y |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment | Y |
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