www.mayfield-special.torbay.sch.uk

‘Learning together to be the

best that we can be.’

Mayfield School Chestnut Centre

Chestnut Drive, Brixham

Devon, TQ5 0EQ

Tel: 01803 857242

www.mayfield-special.torbay.sch.uk

As part of Mayfield School, Chestnut is a centre for children

aged 5-11 years, situated on Chestnut Drive in Brixham.

There are currently twenty two places available, for

children experiencing complex Social, Emotional and

Mental Health difficulties.

The main aim of the centre is to support children to be able

to move back into mainstream provision or to signpost them

to a specialist provision that can meet their needs. Staff

are trained to use the Thrive approach alongside a carefully

tailored individual Education Provision Plan, and offer

pastoral care to the children and their families.

At Chestnut, we look at the whole child as an individual, and we assess all areas in depth to identify

barriers to learning, and create tailored plans for each child. Many of the children do successfully

move on to mainstream provision. We offer a supported transition when we feel children are

ready to move on.

Welcome

‘Mayfield and Chestnut staff have successfully

improved provision and ensured good achievement

by the quality of teaching.’

Ofsted 2014

‘The experiences offered by the school support

modern values. Pupils have many opportunities to

visit local sites and places of interest further afield.’

Ofsted 2014

Our Values Children The children and families are at the heart of everything we do at

Chestnut. The provision is aimed to create bespoke learning

and intervention for every child.

Community

Staff Staff will communicate effectively with one another,

children and families to promote joint working.

Staff are offered an extensive range of training

and are encouraged to take responsibility for

their own professional development. Working

as effective team members, staff will

demonstrate mutual respect for each other.

We aim to foster positive links with the local

community. Children are encouraged to access

local and Bay wide facilities as responsible

members of the community. Local businesses

and charities are welcomed into the school to

work on joint projects.

Our Values

Pupils

Pupils will be encouraged to develop their individual potential to be happy and

motivated, confident and valued members of the school and the wider

community. We will achieve this by developing our understanding of

individual needs within an ethos of mutual respect, effective safeguarding

procedures and high expectations.

Teaching and Learning

We will offer a stimulating, broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum,

which meets pupil’s individual needs. We will aim to recognise their effort

and celebrate their achievement through a variety of teaching and

learning experiences. Staff have ‘developed the curriculum so

that it is well balanced, providing good

quality education, health and care.’

Ofsted 2014

Chestnut

‘It was the best decision that both myself and his

previous school made...I have to say that Chestnut

have done brilliantly for my boy.’

A Parent

A Day at

8.45am

The teacher day commences with the head and

individual teacher meetings, departmental meetings or

preparation.

8.55am Start of the School day

The children arrive at school through parents/carers or on

school transport, and lesson time commences. The morning

curriculum usually consists of breakfast/settling in, literacy,

numeracy and Thrive activities.

10.30am Break

Healthy snacks can be sent in for break time in the morning.

12.00pm Lunch

This is part of the morning teaching timetable. All teachers sit

with their classes. Good manners and healthy eating are

encouraged. The meals are served in the classrooms and

leisure activities are available after lunch.

1.00pm Afternoon Activities

The curriculum in the afternoon is more often linked to the

Creative Arts curriculum, work related learning and off-site

activities promoting emotional health and well-being.

3.00pm End of the School day

Children leave the school premises with parents/carers,

or use school transport, which is in place to take

the children home safely. Most teachers are

available after school should parents wish to

contact them.

‘Teaching in the Chestnut Centre is good,

enabling pupils to start to improve their skills

and behaviour quickly.’

Ofsted 2014

Facilities

Chestnut’s classrooms are all named after types of

trees, and have been specifically tailored to fit the

needs of the age group and the children within.

Each room has a smart board for interactive learning

and group focus work.

The classrooms also have designated areas for the

children to be quiet and have their own space

throughout the day.

Classrooms

Facilities

Sports and Recreation

Chestnut’s hall is nestled in the centre of the school and is

used for a variety of activities throughout the school day,

including gymnastics, karate, dancing and climbing.

Our multi purpose sports court a great outdoor space, which

has been designed to be bright, uplifting and motivating.

Support Services

Family Support

‘Staff provide high levels of care and

support for all pupils, meeting their

welfare needs very well.’

Ofsted 2014

We understand that caring for a child with complex needs is both

rewarding, but also tiring and at times stressful. We offer a

support service to families which can be as simple as a chat but

can also be tailored to help with any aspect of caring for a child.

Mayfield, Chestnut Centre offers an Outreach Service and

training programme. In connection with the Local Authority,

we provide a support network for the inclusion of individual

pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs in

mainstream schools. We offer coaching, mentoring and

tailored support for children across Torbay who are struggling

with their mainstream placement.

Outreach Service