Training Centre

For the staff and pupils at Fiveways School being lead school for SPTS, which was a Teaching School and has now rebranded due to DfE changes in the status of Teaching Schools, has brought many benefits for example:

Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Working with The Wessex Teaching School we have developed a School Direct Initial Teacher Training programme that has a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) emphasis. Staff from Fiveways have developed their own skills e.g. through delivery of training days, supporting trainees in placement or acting as mentors. One of the greatest benefits is when a trainee is employed as teacher in our school.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Fiveways has a training centre on site which enables us to offer easily accessible and cost effective specialist CPD linked to the needs of our pupils and school development plan. CPD also includes Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) training for mainstream and special settings, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) training including Team Teach. The Teaching School offers development opportunities for school teachers and support staff, from induction through to early leadership training.

School to School

Links with other schools, both special and mainstream have widened our opportunities for school to school visits and sharing best practice. Fiveways, along with the other Somerset special schools work together to offer outreach to local schools.