Lakeside School

Since 2006, Vicky Size BEd MEd. Always drawn to working with children, she enjoyed her time in a SEN nursery during a year out before university, where a brief foray into business studies left her unfulfilled. Re-applied to study primary education at

A school for pupils with ADHD, autism, speech, language and communication difficulties and SEMH. Not suitable for pupils who are pre-verbal or who have profound learning difficulties. Not wheelchair accessible but has experience of pupils with visual

Places for all primary pupils in secondary school, though parents still need to apply via local authority. First cohort of 16+ leavers due to leave in summer 2026. Extensive ‘futures’ programme. Visits to and from big companies like Microsoft and

Primary classes grouped according to needs, the most nurturing one tucked away in a standalone building. In secondary, two nurture classes are run on a primary model (most lessons taught by classroom teacher), hybrid-nurture classes have subject

Pupils’ greatest needs are often social communication and emotional support, says school, alongside ‘filling in the gaps’ for new pupils after a period of emotionally based school avoidance or exclusion - many arrive with rock-bottom

Pupils’ art displayed around corridors (we loved the giant sea creatures made from recycled plastic) but the art studio felt a little stark with only the rear wall softened with a ‘rogues gallery’ of pupil’s work. All part of a deliberate

This is Liverpool, so no prizes for guessing that football is the most popular sport. Netball, basketball, cricket and athletics also on offer. All-weather MUGA pitch and the dining hall does double duty for indoor PE. Minibus trips out for leisure

Full time SENCo, TAs for every class and a pastoral team of six. On-site therapists include two part-time speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and mental health practitioners, a clinical psychologist and an assistant psychologist.

Praise from parents for the ‘endlessly patient’ pastoral care. One pupil said, ‘What they say about getting to know you really is true. I feel I’ve got to the point where people know me so well, it’s hard to have a bad day.’ We heard lots about Zones

‘You’ve come to see our class because we’re the best in the school!’ announced one little boy (all credit to his teachers for his cheerful self-confidence). In senior school, pupils were perhaps more reserved but told us there was a sense of

All funded by LA through the EHCP

Lakeside school offers individualised learning to pupils with autism, ADHD, communication and behavioural difficulties in a nurturing, happy environment. Parents describe it as transformational, ‘He feels they’re proud of him here,’ said one, ‘and I