"Helping pupils achieve beyond their own expectations"

Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a fresh, bright, and positive future! The 2023-24 academic year has been an exciting and transformative one for FreshSteps Independent School. In July 2023, we proudly won two major achievement trophies in Drama and for Fostering Achievements for Pupils with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

Our Drama department achieved a significant milestone by beating five other mainstream schools to become the Rudolph Walker Drama Champions. The award-winning performance was held at the prestigious Shaw Theatre in London and can be viewed on YouTube, showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of our students.

Adding to this success, in February 2024, FreshSteps was honoured with our third consecutive 'Outstanding' rating in all areas during our most recent inspection. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication, passion, and commitment of our staff and students, affirming our continued excellence in providing a top-tier education for young people with SEMH and SEND.

FreshSteps Independent School is a specialist all-through school located in Enfield, catering to young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

The school provides a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for students from Key Stage 1 (KS1) through to Key Stage 5 (KS5), all of whom have Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). In addition to SEMH, many pupils may also experience challenges in areas such as communication and interaction (e.g., autism, speech difficulties), cognition and learning (e.g., dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties), and sensory needs (e.g., visual or hearing impairments, sensory-processing difficulties).

At FreshSteps, the core belief is that every pupil deserves a fresh start and access to excellent education. The school is dedicated to helping students who may have faced educational challenges in the past, ensuring that each child reaches their full potential.

Key commitments of FreshSteps include:

• Providing enjoyable, accessible lessons driven by passionate and enthusiastic teaching.
• Creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel valued and heard.
• Modelling positive behaviour and consistency to inspire students toward their highest potential.
• Fostering a love for learning and promoting fairness for all pupils.

The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum based on the National Curriculum, adapted to meet the specific needs of its students. This is supplemented with functional skills, social, emotional, and independence training, as well as skills for working life, helping students build confidence and self-esteem. With NEW facilities that mimic real-life work and home environments, FreshSteps provides practical learning opportunities.

Teachers and support staff at FreshSteps are highly trained to address the individual needs of their pupils, focusing on breaking down barriers to learning and building positive relationships with students.

We are immensely proud of these accomplishments and look forward  to 24-25 in continuing our journey of success and growth with our wonderful students!

Mrs Anderson

Headteacher