Achieve, Believe, Challenge

I am proud to welcome you to our website, which I hope will provide you with all the information you require to support your child in their time with us.

Halesbury is an all-age Special School (4-19) located in Halesowen in the borough of Dudley.

We support 174 pupils aged 4 to 16 in our main school setting along with our Post 16 provision for 16-19 students. (Years 12–14)

Halesbury is a happy school where pupils, highly skilled staff and parents work together alongside other specialist professionals to create a community of support for our amazing young people.

Every one of our pupils are unique and we celebrate this along with their strengths, developing and supporting these on their journey into Adulthood.

Our long-term aim is for all of our pupils to leave our provision well-equipped for the next part of their life, be it Post 16 or Post 19 and be able to contribute to and experience being a valued member of their wider community.

Preparation for Adulthood is a key aspect and strength of our curriculum that allows pupils to experience a range of activities outside of school. This also develops independence, communication, and contributes to pupil voice when decisions about life after Halesbury begin to occur.  

School Profile

Halesbury School predominantly caters for pupils with increasing complex needs. The majority of our pupils have autism. We are an accredited school by the National Autistic Society (NAS).

Pupils entering in Reception (EYFS) are complex in their communication and social interaction needs, with little or no verbal language functioning within Range 1 of the Early Years Birth to 5 Matters. 
This is changing the profile of our school from previous years and we
are no longer a Moderate Learning Difficulty setting, rather a school who is meeting the needs of pupils with complex learning difficulties and complex communication difficulties. Our pupils are functioning cognitively, significantly below age-related expectations. Our curriculum reflects this with emphasis on social communication development, sensory regulation support and the development of life skills. 

Our Post 16 provision was created to meet the needs of our pupils moving up through our Autism Pathway classes. It provides for learners who have low levels of cognition and learning, complex autism and complex communication difficulties.

As Head Teacher, I feel very proud and privileged to be part of our wonderful school. Working alongside our dedicated staff, knowing all of our children and families and celebrating their successes, however small, brings great joy on a daily basis. 

Please enjoy exploring our website pages to find out more. Should you need further information please contact the main school office on 01384984000 and we will direct you to the appropriate staff to answer your query

Mrs Amanda Appleby Payne

B. Ed (Hons), M.Ed Autism (Children) NPQSL
Head Teacher