About The Ridgeway School

The Ridgeway School is a co-educational establishment with 101 places. We welcome pupils between the age of 2 and 19 years who have severe and/or profound multiple learning difficulties.

Our young nursery pupils are based in the school. Within this inclusive setting they enjoy their play and education alongside their peers, benefiting from resources: soft play and MILE (Multi Interactive Learning Environment) room.

Our 16 – 19 year old pupils with severe learning difficulties enjoy the atmosphere of the mainstream local Farnham College. Although the students follow their own curriculum at the college, they are able to use the on-site restaurant and other facilities.

Our History

In 1962, a ‘Junior Training Centre’ was established on the current Ridgeway School site. This was run by the Health Authority and considered the best provision for children with severe learning difficulties. Following the Education Act of 1970, the Education Authority took responsibility for the education of all children and in 1978 replaced the old training centre with a purpose-built school.

Today that building is unrecognisable as, in 2000 – 2002, we underwent a complete re-build. The facilities are the most up-to-date, with provision of overhead tracking to assist in manual handling in all classrooms and specialist rooms for food technology, music, soft play and a state of the art MILE room. There is a dedicated medical room, physiotherapist treatment room, speech and language room and an office for the health team.

Our Staff

The Ridgeway School has a dedicated, committed and hard-working staff who, together with a pro-active governing body, work to implement the aims of the school. In planning to meet each pupil’s needs staff work closely with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and the full-time school nurse. Outside support agencies, such as hearing and visually impaired services, the educational psychologist, portage workers and our link social worker, visit frequently to give support to pupils, parents and staff.

The Learning Environment

We aim to provide a learning environment that is stimulating and challenging, yet supportive and enjoyable, thus enabling pupils to develop relationships, knowledge and practical skills to reach their full potential and achieve as much independence as possible.

We believe that the development of communication, physical, personal and social skills are the key to success of further learning. As such, these are given a high priority throughout the curriculum.

Through this website we hope that you will gain an insight into the work carried out at The Ridgeway School and should you like to visit us to find out more about our facilities and ethos, you may be assured of a warm welcome.